Which of the following is NOT among the five T's?

• A. Tension Pneumothorax
• B. Tamponade (Cardiac)
• C. Thrombosis (Coronary)
• D. Trauma

Answer: (D)

The five T’s are reversible causes of cardiac arrest that guide rapid management: tension pneumothorax, cardiac tamponade, coronary thrombosis, pulmonary thrombosis, and toxins. Trauma can certainly lead to cardiac arrest, but in this classic five-T framework it isn’t listed as one of the five. Some sources add trauma as a sixth T, but in this common exam framing it isn’t included, so it’s the option that does not belong among the five T’s. Recognizing these five categories helps target immediate interventions—decompression for tension pneumothorax, pericardiocentesis for tamponade, reperfusion for coronary thrombosis, anticoagulation or thrombolysis/ED intervention for pulmonary thrombosis, and antidotes or supportive care for toxin-related arrests.