Final answer:
When caring for a patient who has been stabbed and you find a small knife impaled in a stab wound, you should treat the wound as usual and notify the police that you must transport the weapon with the patient for evidentiary purposes.
Step-by-step explanation:
When caring for a patient who has been stabbed and you find a small knife impaled in a stab wound, it is important to follow proper protocols. The correct action in this situation is to treat the wound as usual and provide necessary medical care to the patient. However, it is also important to notify the police that you must transport the weapon with the patient for evidentiary purposes. Removing the knife without proper authorization or placing it in an evidence bag yourself could interfere with a potential police investigation and should be avoided. It is best to involve the appropriate authorities and maintain the integrity of the crime scene.