Trauma Nursing Quiz: Master the ABCDE Assessment

1. In the ABCDE primary survey, which component is assessed first?

Airway with cervical spine protection

Breathing and ventilation

Circulation and hemorrhage control

Disability and neurological status

2. When assessing breathing (B) in a trauma patient, what is the primary concern?

Heart rate variability

Adequate ventilation and oxygenation

Blood glucose levels

Pupil reactivity

3. During the circulation (C) assessment, what is the initial focus?

Measuring blood pressure in all extremities

Controlling external hemorrhage and assessing perfusion

Administering IV fluids immediately

Checking capillary refill only

4. What does the disability (D) assessment evaluate?

Respiratory rate and depth

Neurological status using AVPU or GCS

Abdominal organ function

Orthopedic alignment

5. The exposure (E) component requires removing clothing to assess injuries. What critical action must accompany this?

Maintaining normothermia to prevent hypothermia

Immediately documenting all injuries

Obtaining informed consent

Applying topical antiseptics

6. Which airway maneuver is safest in a trauma patient with potential cervical spine injury?

Head tilt-chin lift

Jaw thrust without head extension

Neck rotation and flexion

Aggressive mouth opening

7. A patient presents with stridor and drooling after blunt neck trauma. What airway finding is most concerning?

Patent airway

Airway compromise requiring immediate intervention

Normal breathing pattern

Stable oxygen saturation

8. During breathing assessment, decreased breath sounds on one side may indicate which condition?

Hyperventilation syndrome

Tension pneumothorax or hemothorax

Anxiety disorder

Medication side effect

9. A trauma patient has weak pulses, pale skin, and altered mental status. This presentation suggests which circulatory status?

Compensated shock

Hypertensive crisis

Decompensated shock

Septic shock

10. Which Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score indicates severe disability?

GCS 13-15

GCS 9-12

GCS 3-8

GCS 16-20

11. During exposure assessment, a patient develops shivering and goosebumps. What intervention is most appropriate?

Increase room temperature only

Cover patient with blankets to prevent heat loss

Administer cold IV fluids

Remove remaining clothing

12. A patient with severe head trauma becomes unresponsive during assessment. The priority action is reassessing which ABCDE component?

Airway patency and protection

Exposure for hidden injuries

Disability progression only

Circulation status solely

13. Which physical finding during breathing assessment indicates inadequate ventilation?

SpO2 of 98% on room air

Respiratory rate of 16 breaths per minute

Cyanosis and accessory muscle use

Symmetrical chest rise

14. In a trauma patient, what is the significance of a widened mediastinum found on chest X-ray during circulation assessment?

Normal anatomical variation

Potential aortic injury requiring urgent intervention

Benign cardiac enlargement

Improved perfusion status

15. A patient with abdominal trauma cannot be fully assessed during exposure due to pain. What should the nurse do?

Defer assessment until patient is sedated

Perform gentle palpation systematically while monitoring vital signs

Skip abdominal assessment entirely

Force deep palpation to locate injuries