Question

Highest priority during an emergency decontamination involving a chemically contaminated worker who is seriously injured

Answer 1

The highest priority in an emergency decontamination that usually involves in a chemically contaminated worker that has been injured would be the safety of the patient as well as the rescuer. It is important first before removing the patient in an area to check if the surrounding is safe.

Answer 2

In emergency medicine, still, the highest priority is the ABC which is the airway, breathing, and circulation; regardless of the case of the patient. Once airway, breathing, and circulation has been stabilized, then the next priority is to remove all the chemicals that are lingering in the patient as this can aggravate the patient's condition. Injuries cannot be treated well as long as chemicals are there. Next step is the definitive treatment of the patient.