TNCC Practice Exam 2025 – Complete Guide for Trauma Nurse Core Course Prep

Blunt trauma refers specifically to injuries that occur from forceful impact or collision without any penetration or break in the skin. This type of trauma typically results from events such as falls, vehicle collisions, or being struck by an object. Blunt trauma can cause a variety of internal injuries, including damage to organs, tissues, and blood vessels, and may lead to serious complications despite the absence of open wounds.

The other options describe different mechanisms of injury. Injuries from a sharp object would involve penetration and are characterized as penetrating trauma. Trauma resulting from an explosion falls under blast injuries, which can cause both blunt and penetrating injuries but is distinct due to the explosive force. Lastly, injuries due to thermal or chemical exposure are classified separately as they result from environmental factors rather than physical impact. Thus, the primary characteristic that defines blunt trauma is the lack of a break in the skin while still potentially leading to significant internal injuries.