Trauma Nurse Core Course (TNCC) Practice Exam

In a male patient with hip pain after a fall, which finding is most reassuring?

1. A normal prostate exam

2. Absence of abdominal distension

3. A normal FAST exam

4. Pelvic stability

The correct answer is: Pelvic stability

In assessing a male patient with hip pain following a fall, determining the stability of the pelvis is crucial. Pelvic stability indicates that there are no significant fractures or injuries to the pelvic bones which could lead to complications such as hemorrhage or instability requiring surgical intervention. If the pelvis is stable, it allows for more confidence in the diagnosis and management plan, suggesting that there may not be serious underlying injuries. While the other findings—such as a normal prostate exam, absence of abdominal distension, and a normal FAST (Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma) exam—are also valuable, they do not provide the same level of reassurance about potential life-threatening or serious injuries as pelvic stability does. For instance, a normal FAST exam is valuable in assessing for intra-abdominal bleeding, but it may still miss some injuries. Similarly, the absence of abdominal distension might suggest that there is no acute abdominal injury at that moment, but it does not address the stability of the pelvis itself. Thus, pelvic stability stands out as the most reassuring finding, as it reflects a lower risk for significant complications stemming from a potentially unstable injury.