Trauma Nurse Core Course (TNCC) Practice Exam

What should be the priority when caring for a patient with signs of shock and a lower extremity injury?

1. Providing fluid resuscitation

2. Monitoring vital signs closely

3. Conducting a full trauma assessment

4. Applying a pressure dressing to the injury

The correct answer is: Providing fluid resuscitation

When caring for a patient exhibiting signs of shock alongside a lower extremity injury, the most critical priority is to provide fluid resuscitation. Shock indicates that the patient may be experiencing inadequate perfusion to vital organs due to a significant loss of blood volume or other causes. In trauma patients, particularly with a lower extremity injury, there is a potential for hemorrhage, which can exacerbate shock. Fluid resuscitation plays a vital role in restoring intravascular volume, improving blood pressure, and enhancing perfusion to vital organs. This immediate intervention can stabilize the patient’s condition, reducing the risk of organ failure or negative outcomes while other assessments and treatments are being conducted. While monitoring vital signs closely, conducting a full trauma assessment, and applying a pressure dressing are all important aspects of trauma care, they are secondary to addressing the immediate physiological needs of the patient in shock. In a critical situation, ensuring adequate perfusion through fluid resuscitation is paramount to managing the patient's condition effectively and improving their chances of recovery.