IT’S TRAUMA TUESDAY

Is a Free Weekly Newsletter

Brought to you by TCAR Education Programs

For nurses and other clinicians practicing anywhere

along the trauma care spectrum

Take a quick test of your trauma care knowledge

Article of the Week

Hypertonic Saline vs Mannitol in Brain-Injured Kids

This recent multinational study evaluated clinical outcomes in children with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) at risk for elevated intracranial pressure (ICP), comparing treatment with hypertonic saline (HTS) versus 20% mannitol.

Findings revealed no significant differences between the two groups regarding mortality, functional outcomes at discharge, duration of mechanical ventilation, or length of stay in the PICU or hospital. Select the link below for a more in-depth examination of the study’s methodology, results, and limitations.

Chong SL, Zhu Y, Wang Q, et al. Clinical Outcomes of Hypertonic Saline vs Mannitol Treatment Among Children With Traumatic Brain Injury. JAMA network open. Mar 3 2025;8(3):e250438.

Trauma Happenings

Understanding the Fluid Compartment Model Helps Trauma Nurses Recognize and Prevent Shock

A recent article from Trauma System News emphasizes the importance of the fluid compartment model in trauma nursing practice—an area that has historically received less focus in nursing education. 

Understanding intracellular and extracellular fluid dynamics can help nurses identify early, often subtle, signs of shock during the “autotransfusion” phase that occurs after hemorrhage. By applying this knowledge at the bedside, nurses can improve assessment accuracy, guide timely interventions, and enhance communication with the trauma team. Read more at the link below.

But I Thought I Had 12 Months to Finish TCAR/PCAR!

This point can be confusing. TEP provides all learners 12-month access to course materials. HOWEVER, if you were assigned the course by your trauma program manager, educator, clinical specialist, etc., it is likely you were given a completion deadline that is only a matter of weeks. 

That deadline is selected and assigned by your employer, not by TEP. Nevertheless, once you've verified within your manager's required timeframe, you can still access the course manual and videos until your one-year subscription expires.

You can reveal a letter or the entire word if you get stuck

One patient's incredible big fish story….

This catch got away, but only after leaving a 1.4-inch piece of its long, sharp marlin's bill lodged in the fisherman's foramen magnum! Read more about the astounding man vs. fish penetrating injury mechanism in this post from Live Science.

TCAR Education Programs
tcarprograms.org
info@tcarprograms.org
Office: (503) 608-4900
International Toll-Free: +1 800-800-2015

Copyright © 2025 TCAR Education Programs. All rights reserved.

You are receiving this email because you opted in by purchasing or registering for a course or subscribing to our newsletter on our website.

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe