Chest, Airway, Neck, Abdomen and Pelvis Trauma Essentials for Clinical Practice
Duration: 2 Day(s)
CPD Hours: 16
Start Time: 09:15
End Time: 16:30
OVERVIEW
Trauma patients can deteriorate fast. The difference between a good outcome and a missed injury often comes down to one thing - early, structured assessment by a clinician who knows what to look for.
This intensive two-day online course gives nurses, nurse practitioners and doctors a confident, systematic approach to trauma across the major body regions. Drawing on current clinical evidence and real-world NHS practice, it builds your ability to recognise life-threatening injuries earlier, communicate risk clearly, and escalate decisively, before the window closes.
Delivered entirely online, the course combines expert-led teaching with structured case scenarios, giving you tools you can apply at the bedside from day one.
CONTENT
Day 1
Introductions and course objectives Airway assessment & management in trauma Cervical spine trauma - recognition and precautions Primary survey (ABCDE) applied to chest trauma Life threatening chest injuries - pneumothorax, haemothorax, flail chest and tamponade Neck and vascular trauma - recognition and red flags Monitoring, escalation and case scenarios
Day 2
Why abdominal trauma hides blood loss Safe abdominal and pelvic assessment Recognising early VS late signs of shock Pelvic fracture - recognition and clinical safety Monitoring priorities and escalation Case scenarios and course conclusion
This course is designed for nurses, nurse practitioners and doctors working in clinical environments where trauma presentations occur. It is particularly relevant for:
Registered nurses working in emergency, acute, surgical or critical care settings
Nurse practitioners and advanced nurse practitioners in trauma-adjacent roles
NHS Band 5–7 nurses looking to consolidate or extend their trauma assessment skills
Nurses working in pre-hospital, retrieval or major trauma centre environments
Medical and surgical residents seeking structured CPD in trauma assessment outside of formal postgraduate programmes
Any clinician seeking structured CPD evidence in trauma recognition and management
No prior trauma qualification is required. The course is suitable for those with foundational clinical experience who want to deepen their knowledge and build practical confidence.
AIMS AND OUTCOMES
On successful completion of this course, you will be able to:
Apply the ABCDE approach systematically to a trauma patient presenting with chest, airway or neck injury.
Recognise and respond to life-threatening chest injuries, including tension pneumothorax, massive haemothorax, open chest wounds, flail chest and cardiac tamponade.
Demonstrate safe airway assessment and identify indications for escalation to airway management intervention.
Apply cervical spine precautions appropriately and recognise the clinical features of significant cervical spine injury.
Explain the mechanisms by which abdominal trauma conceals blood loss and apply safe assessment techniques.
Distinguish early from late haemodynamic signs of shock and initiate appropriate monitoring and escalation.
Recognise the clinical indicators of pelvic fracture and implement initial safety measures.
Apply structured escalation and handover communication - including SBAR - to trauma scenarios.
Integrate learning through structured clinical case scenarios covering all major content areas
