What Topics Are Covered in the TNCC? (Focusing on the Trauma Nursing Process, 2025 Guide)

When I first started looking into the Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC), I wanted to know exactly what topics would be covered. The TNCC isn’t just another nursing course — it’s built around a very specific framework called the Trauma Nursing Process (TNP). If you’re preparing for the exam or course, let’s break down the major content areas you’ll need to know in 2025.

Core of the TNCC: The Trauma Nursing Process (TNP)

The Trauma Nursing Process is the backbone of the TNCC. It’s a systematic, evidence-based framework that ensures trauma patients receive the right interventions in the right order.

Think of the TNP as the road map for trauma care:

  1. Primary Survey (ABCDEs)
  2. Resuscitation
  3. Secondary Survey
  4. Definitive Care / Transfer

Every lecture, skill station, and exam question in TNCC ties back to this process.

Topics Covered in the TNCC (2025)

1. Primary Survey – ABCDE

The primary survey is all about identifying and treating life-threatening issues immediately.

  • Airway with cervical spine protection
  • Breathing and ventilation
  • Circulation and hemorrhage control
  • Disability (neurological status)
  • Exposure and environmental control

👉 This is the most heavily tested content on the exam and the central focus of the skills station.

2. Resuscitation Phase

After the initial survey, TNCC teaches how to stabilize and resuscitate patients.

  • IV access and fluid resuscitation

  • Hemorrhage control and blood product administration

  • Monitoring oxygenation and perfusion

3. Secondary Survey

This step is a head-to-toe assessment once the patient is stable enough.

  • Complete physical exam
  • Detailed patient history (AMPLE: Allergies, Medications, Past medical history, Last meal, Events leading up to injury)
  • Radiographic and lab studies
  • Pain management

4. Definitive Care and Transfer

TNCC also covers planning for definitive treatment or transfer to higher-level trauma care.

  • Interdisciplinary communication
  • Documentation
  • Preparing for OR, ICU, or transport

5. Special Populations in Trauma

The course includes focused modules on how trauma presents differently in certain groups:

  • Pediatric trauma
  • Geriatric trauma
  • Pregnant trauma patients
  • Patients with comorbidities

How These Topics Appear on the Exam

On the TNCC written exam (50 multiple-choice questions), most questions are built around scenario-based trauma cases. You’ll be expected to apply the TNP framework and identify the next best step in patient care.

On the skills station, you’ll need to perform the trauma nursing process (ABCDE) in the correct order. Missing a critical step usually results in failing that station.

Pro Study Tip 📘

Don’t just memorize — practice applying the Trauma Nursing Process in real scenarios. That’s what the exam is truly testing.

👉 Check out our TNCC Practice Questions + Study Guide — updated for 2025 to mirror both the written exam and skills scenarios, with extra focus on the Trauma Nursing Process.

Quick Reference: TNCC Topics (2025)

Section Key Focus
Primary Survey ABCDEs of trauma assessment
Resuscitation Fluid resuscitation, hemorrhage control, oxygenation
Secondary Survey Full exam, history (AMPLE), diagnostics
Definitive Care/Transfer OR prep, ICU, transport
Special Populations Pediatrics, geriatrics, pregnancy, comorbidities

 

✅ Final Thought: The TNCC course covers trauma care through the Trauma Nursing Process, with a heavy emphasis on the ABCDE primary survey. If you know this framework inside and out, you’ll not only pass the exam but also feel more confident handling real trauma situations.

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