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

In the context of internal bleeding, the combination of hypotension and tachycardia reflects the body's response to significant blood loss. As blood volume decreases due to internal hemorrhage, blood pressure drops because there is less fluid in the circulatory system to maintain adequate pressure. This hypotension is a critical sign that the body is entering a state of shock.

Simultaneously, tachycardia occurs as a compensatory mechanism; the heart beats faster to maintain cardiac output and ensure that sufficient oxygen-rich blood reaches vital organs, despite the reduced blood volume. This combination of low blood pressure and increased heart rate is classic in cases of intravascular volume depletion due to bleeding.

The other options describe vital sign changes that would not typically align with the physiological responses seen in internal bleeding. For instance, bradycardia (slow heart rate) is generally not associated with blood loss; instead, it may indicate other underlying conditions. Additionally, normal blood pressure in the presence of significant hemorrhage does not align with the expected physiological response; a drop in blood pressure would be anticipated. Lastly, diastolic hypertension combined with a decreased respiratory rate would not reflect the expected changes during internal bleeding, where respiratory rates may increase as the body attempts to compensate for