Trauma Nurse Core Course (TNCC) Practice Exam

In assessing a trauma patient, what is an indicator of adequate cerebral perfusion?

1. Altered mental status

2. Blood pressure 120/80 mm Hg

3. Heart rate less than 100 beats/min

4. Urine output of 30 mL/hour

The correct answer is: Blood pressure 120/80 mm Hg

Adequate cerebral perfusion is critical in trauma patients to ensure that the brain receives sufficient blood flow, which is essential for oxygen and nutrient delivery. A blood pressure of 120/80 mm Hg represents a normal range for an adult and indicates that the perfusion pressure is within normal limits. This pressure helps maintain adequate cerebral blood flow necessary for optimal brain function. In the context of cerebral perfusion, it is important to note that blood pressure is directly linked to the perfusion pressure; thus, maintaining an appropriate range is vital. While altered mental status may indicate poor perfusion, it is not a definitive or direct measurement of cerebral perfusion on its own. Similarly, a heart rate less than 100 beats per minute, while it can suggest hemodynamic stability, does not directly reflect cerebral perfusion status as changes in heart rate can be influenced by many other factors, including anxiety or pain. Urine output can be an indicator of overall organ perfusion, but it is less specific to cerebral perfusion compared to blood pressure. An output of 30 mL/hour may suggest adequate kidney perfusion but does not provide a direct indicator of cerebral perfusion status. Therefore, blood pressure is the most reliable and direct measure in this context,