TCRN case studies
TCRN · Put your knowledge to work in context.
The Trauma Certified Registered Nurse (TCRN®) credential is the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN) board certification for registered nurses who care for injured patients across the full trauma care continuum - injury prevention education, prehospital care, acute care, rehabilitation, and reintegration into society. BCEN describes it as the nationally recognized credential for RNs who care for trauma patients from injury through rehabilitation, and frames the exam around the work trauma nurses already do every shift: assessing injuries with incomplete information, making rapid decisions during resuscitation, and anticipating complications before they escalate. The TCRN case studies are 5 cases and about 3,691 words.
1The Anticoagulated Ground-Level Fall With a Negative Head CT
At 21:40 an 82-year-old woman is brought to a community emergency department after a ground-level fall in her bathroom. She lives alone, uses a walker, and takes apixaban 5 mg twice daily for atrial fibrillation (last dose 10 hours ago) plus aspirin 81 mg.
771 words, about 4 min2Motorcycle Crash 60 Miles From Definitive Care
At 06:15 EMS responds to a motorcycle crash on a rural two-lane road. A 34-year-old helmeted man was traveling approximately 45 mph and was thrown about 20 feet.
763 words, about 4 min3Day 24 After Severe TBI: Where Does He Go?
A 28-year-old man is on day 24 after a severe traumatic brain injury (initial GCS 5, epidural hematoma evacuated on day 1). He is medically stable on a step-down unit with a tracheostomy (speaking valve trials tolerated for short periods), a PEG tube, and a healing right femur fracture treated with an intramedullary nail.
715 words, about 4 min402:00 Surge: Two Trauma Alerts, No ICU Beds
It is 02:00 at a Level II trauma center. All 14 ICU beds are full, and three admitted ICU patients are boarding in the emergency department, including a ventilated trauma patient 19 hours past ICU admission.
712 words, about 4 min5Conflicting Blood Pressure Targets in TBI With Active Hemorrhage
A 24-year-old man arrives 40 minutes after a rollover crash. He is intubated with GCS 7.
730 words, about 4 min