CSTR Exam Prep Free practice test →

Free CSTR Practice Questions

10 free, exam-style Certified Specialist in Trauma Registries (CSTR) practice questions with answers and explanations. No signup required. Work through them below, then take the full free CSTR practice test to study every exam domain.

Question 1

A trauma registrar is reviewing a patient record with an ICD-10-CM diagnosis code that has a 7th character extension of "D." Based on NTDS inclusion criteria, the registrar should:

  1. Include the case because the code falls within the S00-T79 range
  2. Exclude the case because "D" indicates a subsequent encounter
  3. Include the case if the patient met trauma activation criteria
  4. Refer the case to the trauma program manager for determination
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B - Exclude the case because "D" indicates a subsequent encounter

Question 2

A Level II trauma center's TQIP Benchmark Report shows an observed-to-expected (O/E) mortality ratio of 1.42 for blunt trauma patients. This value indicates that the facility:

  1. Is performing better than the national benchmark
  2. Has a mortality rate 42% lower than expected
  3. Has more deaths than predicted by risk adjustment
  4. Should be reclassified as a Level III center
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C - Has more deaths than predicted by risk adjustment

Question 3

A 32-year-old male presents after a motorcycle crash with a brief loss of consciousness followed by a lucid interval, then rapid neurological deterioration. A CT scan reveals a biconvex hyperdensity in the temporal region. This presentation is MOST consistent with:

  1. Acute subdural hematoma from bridging vein rupture
  2. Epidural hematoma from middle meningeal artery tear
  3. Traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage in the typical case
  4. Diffuse axonal injury with petechial hemorrhages
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B - Epidural hematoma from middle meningeal artery tear

Question 4

A trauma patient presents with a heart rate of 130, blood pressure of 80/60, respiratory rate of 34, and altered mental status with confusion. According to the ATLS hemorrhagic shock classification, these findings are MOST consistent with:

  1. Class II shock with 15-30% blood volume loss
  2. Class IV shock with greater than 40% blood volume loss
  3. Class III shock with 30-40% blood volume loss
  4. Class I shock with compensatory tachycardia in this context
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C - Class III shock with 30-40% blood volume loss

Question 5

Using the Parkland formula, what is the total crystalloid fluid requirement for the first 24 hours for a 75 kg patient with 30% TBSA burns?

  1. 4,500 mL for this purpose
  2. 6,750 mL under accepted convention
  3. 9,000 mL under standard market practice
  4. 13,500 mL under accepted convention
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C - 9,000 mL under standard market practice

Question 6

A patient has the following injuries: subdural hematoma (AIS 4), cerebral contusion (AIS 3), pulmonary contusion (AIS 3), liver laceration Grade II (AIS 2), and tibial shaft fracture (AIS 2). What is the Injury Severity Score (ISS)?

  1. 25 as ordinarily interpreted
  2. 29 as ordinarily interpreted
  3. 34 as commonly understood
  4. 42 under applicable rules
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B - 29 as ordinarily interpreted

Question 7

A patient arrives in the ED and opens their eyes to painful stimuli, produces incomprehensible sounds, and exhibits abnormal flexion (decorticate posturing) to pain. What is this patient's Glasgow Coma Scale score?

  1. 6 under standard market practice
  2. 7 in the standard framework
  3. 8 under standard market practice
  4. 9 under standard market practice
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B - 7 in the standard framework

Question 8

A trauma registrar is coding a thoracic spine fracture using the AIS 2015 dictionary. When calculating the ISS, this injury should be mapped to which ISS body region?

  1. Head/Neck when applied properly
  2. Chest as commonly understood
  3. Abdomen/Pelvic Contents under applicable rules
  4. Extremities/Pelvic Girdle as commonly understood
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B - Chest as commonly understood

Question 9

In the Haddon Matrix, a state law requiring motorcycle helmets is classified under which phase and factor combination?

  1. Pre-event phase, Social Environment factor
  2. Event phase, Social Environment factor
  3. Event phase, Agent/Vehicle factor in the standard framework
  4. Pre-event phase, Physical Environment factor
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B - Event phase, Social Environment factor

Question 10

Which ACS trauma center verification level requires a dedicated research program as part of its verification criteria?

  1. Level I in the standard framework
  2. Level II in the typical case
  3. Level I and Level II under standard market practice
  4. Level III under accepted convention
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: A - Level I in the standard framework

Ready for the real thing?

Practice hundreds more CSTR questions with instant scoring, weak-area drills, and full exam simulations.

Start the free practice test See pricing