Free Burns and Trauma Nursing MCQs with Answers
50 Burns and Trauma Nursing MCQs from Medical Surgical Nursing, each with the correct answer and a written explanation of why it is correct. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.
Covers the initial and continuing care of patients with burns, haemorrhage, fractures, head injury, chest trauma and shock. It includes burn depth and surface-area estimation, airway protection, fluid resuscitation, wound care, infection prevention, pain management and the distinction between hypovolaemic, septic and neurogenic shock.
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- A. Apply moist gauze to the face
- B. Prepare for early endotracheal intubation
- C. Give oral fluids to reduce throat dryness
- D. Wait for chest X-ray confirmation first
Explanation: The findings suggest inhalation injury with developing upper-airway oedema.
Correct answer: Prepare for early endotracheal intubation- A. 2,800 mL
- B. 5,600 mL
- C. 7,000 mL
- D. 14,000 mL
Explanation: The calculation is 4 mL × 70 kg × 20 = 5,600 mL in 24 hours. Half, 2,800 mL, is given during the first 8 hours from the time of the burn…
Correct answer: 5,600 mL- A. Red skin with severe tenderness
- B. Moist blisters with brisk pain
- C. White, leathery skin with reduced sensation
- D. Superficial erythema that blanches fully
Explanation: Full-thickness burns destroy the epidermis and dermis, producing a dry, leathery or waxy appearance with reduced sensation because nerve…
Correct answer: White, leathery skin with reduced sensation- A. Elevate the injured leg above the heart
- B. Apply direct pressure to visible bleeding
- C. Offer oral water in small amounts
- D. Begin active range-of-motion exercises
Explanation: The signs indicate shock from possible major blood loss, so controlling external haemorrhage is an immediate circulation priority.
Correct answer: Apply direct pressure to visible bleeding- A. Place the patient in a flat supine position
- B. Prepare for immediate needle decompression
- C. Apply an abdominal binder firmly
- D. Encourage deep breathing and coughing
Explanation: These findings indicate tension pneumothorax, which causes life-threatening obstructive shock by compressing the lung and major vessels.
Correct answer: Prepare for immediate needle decompression- A. Keep the patient flat without head support
- B. Maintain the airway and protect against aspiration
- C. Give a large meal to prevent hypoglycaemia
- D. Encourage walking to assess coordination
Explanation: Reduced consciousness and vomiting create an immediate airway and aspiration risk.
Correct answer: Maintain the airway and protect against aspiration- A. Maintain manual stabilisation and apply a cervical collar
- B. Flex the neck slightly to improve venous drainage
- C. Turn the head toward the painful side during transfer
- D. Sit the patient upright before applying restraints
Explanation: Manual in-line stabilisation and appropriate cervical immobilisation reduce secondary spinal cord injury.
Correct answer: Maintain manual stabilisation and apply a cervical collar- A. Hypotension with tachycardia and cool clammy skin
- B. Hypotension with bradycardia and warm dry skin
- C. Hypertension with bounding pulse and cold skin
- D. Fever with purulent drainage and rapid pulse
Explanation: Neurogenic shock results from loss of sympathetic vascular tone and may cause hypotension, bradycardia, and warm dry skin.
Correct answer: Hypotension with bradycardia and warm dry skin- A. Cover the wound with a sterile dressing and avoid probing it
- B. Irrigate the wound repeatedly with tap water at the bedside
- C. Push exposed bone back under the skin
- D. Apply antibiotic ointment and leave the wound uncovered
Explanation: A sterile dressing protects the wound while preventing additional contamination, and the wound should not be probed or manipulated.
Correct answer: Cover the wound with a sterile dressing and avoid probing it- A. Administer oxygen at a high concentration
- B. Apply a non-rebreather mask only if cyanosis occurs
- C. Encourage oral fluids and observe the patient
- D. Place the patient flat and restrict oxygen therapy
Explanation: Carbon monoxide reduces oxygen delivery even when pulse oximetry appears normal.
Correct answer: Administer oxygen at a high concentration- A. Elevation of the arm above heart level
- B. Immediate application of a tight compression bandage
- C. Escharotomy to release constricting tissue
- D. Routine cleansing with an antiseptic solution
Explanation: A circumferential burn can act like a tourniquet and impair distal circulation.
Correct answer: Escharotomy to release constricting tissue- A. Break every blister before applying the dressing
- B. Apply a clean non-adherent dressing as prescribed
- C. Remove all loose skin with sterile scissors
- D. Cover the area with dry cotton wool directly
Explanation: A clean non-adherent dressing protects the wound and reduces trauma during care.
Correct answer: Apply a clean non-adherent dressing as prescribed- A. Delay all analgesia until the procedure is complete
- B. Use prescribed analgesia with additional non-drug comfort measures
- C. Tell the patient that severe pain is expected after burns
- D. Clean the wound rapidly without explaining the procedure
Explanation: Burn dressing changes are painful, so analgesia should be planned before the procedure and supported with explanation, relaxation, and…
Correct answer: Use prescribed analgesia with additional non-drug comfort measures- A. Apply firm direct pressure with a dressing
- B. Remove any clot that forms over the wound
- C. Irrigate the wound with large amounts of water
- D. Elevate the leg and wait for medical review
Explanation: Firm direct pressure is the first priority for severe external bleeding because it supports circulation by controlling blood loss.
Correct answer: Apply firm direct pressure with a dressing- A. Fat embolism syndrome
- B. Acute compartment syndrome
- C. Venous stasis from bed rest
- D. Simple muscle soreness from the fracture
Explanation: Pain out of proportion, a tense compartment, and pain on passive stretch strongly suggest acute compartment syndrome.
Correct answer: Acute compartment syndrome- A. Position the patient flat to reduce movement
- B. Assess breathing and provide prescribed oxygen
- C. Apply a tight chest binder around the ribs
- D. Encourage repeated coughing without pain relief
Explanation: Breathing is the immediate priority in chest trauma, so respiratory assessment and oxygen support are required.
Correct answer: Assess breathing and provide prescribed oxygen- A. Dry skin around the healing wound
- B. Increasing urine output over the last shift
- C. Hypotension with altered level of consciousness
- D. Mild itching at the edge of the dressing
Explanation: Hypotension with altered consciousness indicates poor organ perfusion and possible septic shock in this context.
Correct answer: Hypotension with altered level of consciousness- A. Warm flushed skin with a slow pulse
- B. Increasing urine output with normal mentation
- C. Reduced urine output with a weak rapid pulse
- D. Bradycardia with warm dry extremities
Explanation: Blood loss reduces circulating volume, causing compensatory tachycardia and peripheral vasoconstriction, followed by reduced renal…
Correct answer: Reduced urine output with a weak rapid pulse- A. Allow the patient to sleep without interruption
- B. Offer oral fluids to prevent dehydration
- C. Report the deterioration immediately and reassess airway
- D. Administer a sedative before repeating the assessment
Explanation: A falling Glasgow Coma Scale score suggests worsening neurological function and may threaten airway protection.
Correct answer: Report the deterioration immediately and reassess airway- A. Dry, leathery skin with absent sensation
- B. Red, moist skin with painful blisters
- C. White, waxy skin with painless tissue
- D. Black, charred skin with exposed bone
Explanation: Superficial partial-thickness burns damage the epidermis and part of the dermis, producing redness, moisture, blisters and marked pain.
Correct answer: Red, moist skin with painful blistersBurns and Trauma Nursing MCQs: common questions
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