Trauma Nurse Course Day 2 - 8/19/2026

Trauma is a leading cause of death among women of reproductive age. The initial evaluation of a pregnant trauma patient should focus on stabilizing the mother using the ABCs (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) to ensure the fetus is also stabilized. Women who are Rh-negative require RhoGAM if abdominal trauma has occurred. Perimortem cesarean delivery should be considered after four minutes of CPR in a woman with a viable pregnancy. Blunt trauma may result in placental abruption, while penetrating trauma can directly injure the fetus, placenta, or umbilical cord.

• Outline the priorities and assessment methods for both mother and fetus in the obstetrical trauma patient.
• Identify the indications for obstetric consultation and intervention in the obstetrical trauma patient.

The content will cover the major types of chest trauma, categorized into three classifications: immediately life-threatening, potentially life-threatening, and non-life-threatening. It will include a review of nursing assessments, therapeutic interventions, and nursing management strategies. Additionally, diagnostic and operating room procedures related to thoracic pathophysiology will be discussed.

• Describe the management of the cardiothoracic injured patient by the interdisciplinary trauma team.

• Identify specific nursing interventions, with associated equipment, required for the management of a cardiothoracic traumatized patient.
• Describe complications of chest tube insertion(s).
• Perform wet-chest tube drainage system set-up.

• Describe the significance of musculoskeletal injuries in the multiple injured patients.
• Describe the management of the musculoskeletal injured patient by the interdisciplinary trauma team.

• Identify the unique characteristics of the child as a trauma patient presenting with musculoskeletal injuries.
• Describe the management of the pediatric musculoskeletal injured patient by the interdisciplinary trauma team.

The content will cover various types of traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients. It will include neurologic assessments, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) evaluations, cranial nerve and reflex assessments, and potential causes of altered levels of consciousness in TBI patients. Nursing management and therapeutic interventions will be reviewed. Additionally, maxillofacial, ocular, and throat injuries will be discussed, along with their respective therapeutic nursing interventions and management strategies. The presentation will also address complications, documentation, diagnostic tests, and communication protocols for TBI and head, face, neck, and ocular trauma.

• Describe the management of the adult neuro trauma patient by the interdisciplinary trauma team.
• Identify the unique characteristics of the child as a neuro trauma patient.
• Describe the management of the maxillofacial, eye, ear, nose and throat injured patient by the interdisciplinary trauma team.

The content will include a demonstration of ocular injury and its nursing management. This will provide practical insights into handling such injuries effectively.

• Identify 3 nursing management strategies for traumatic eye injuries.
• Perform trauma assessment on a Mr. Hurt low fidelity simulation mannequin.

• Describe the assessment and diagnostic process in identifying spinal cord trauma.
• Describe the management of the spinal injured patient by the interdisciplinary trauma team.

The content will include demonstrations and return demonstrations of cervical collar measurement, spinal assessment, and application. These activities will be conducted in pairs within small groups, focusing on both pediatric and adult injured patients. Additionally, there will be a group assessment using the MR. Hurt low-fidelity simulation mannequin to address eight different traumatic injuries.

The content will include a review of trauma patient safety using high-fidelity manikins in a trauma-designed simulation room. Participants will identify problems in both adult and pediatric patients. Each interactive live case will be followed by a discussion on how to address or communicate these issues to the trauma Collaboratory team. Additionally, patient safety reports will be reviewed to highlight and escalate identified problems.

The content will cover types of blunt and penetrating trauma to the abdomen and genitourinary (GU) systems. It will include physical assessments for trauma-related signs such as Balance sign, Cullen sign, Grey-Turner sign, Kehr’s sign, and rebound tenderness in both adult and pediatric patients. Diagnostic procedures and laboratory tests will be reviewed, with a focus on the use of sonography (FAST) examinations to identify free intraperitoneal or pericardial fluid in trauma. The six specific abdominal areas emphasized will be pericardial, perihepatic, perisplenic, and pelvic regions. Additionally, abdominal CT scans, diagnostic peritoneal lavage, and nursing therapeutic interventions, documentation, and communication with the collaborative trauma team will be discussed. The application of the T-POD will also be demonstrated.

• Describe the management of the abdominal and genitourinary injured patient by the interdisciplinary trauma team.
• Demonstrate the T-POD Application

The content will cover case management functions, various rehabilitation assessment tools, and discharge planning. It will include presentations on the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), Rancho Los Amigos Cognitive Functional Scale, and the Activity Measure for Post-Acute Care (AM-PAC). These tools are essential for evaluating and managing the rehabilitation process and planning for patient discharge.

• Define the standard approach to determine rehabilitation outcome measurements for the traumatically injured patient.