Question

You are caring for a 19-year-old male who was shot during a gang confrontation. The police have secured the scene and requested you to treat the patient. In addition to patient care, you should ________.

1) refuse to treat any patient at this crime scene.
2) have one EMT constantly watch bystanders and the surrounding area.
3) ask the patient about the crime so that you can report the answers to law enforcement.
4) assist law enforcement in searching the scene for clues.

Answer 1

In addition to patient care, it is important to have one EMT constantly watch bystanders and the surrounding area to ensure safety. Assisting law enforcement in searching the scene for clues is not within a medical professional's responsibility.

Step-by-step explanation:

When caring for a patient who has been involved in a crime scene, in addition to providing patient care, it is important to have one EMT constantly watch bystanders and the surrounding area. This is to ensure the safety of the patient and the medical team, as well as to prevent any potential threat or disturbance.

Assisting law enforcement in searching the scene for clues is not within the scope of a medical professional's responsibility. Furthermore, asking the patient about the crime in order to report answers to law enforcement may jeopardize the patient's right to confidentiality and should not be done without appropriate legal authorization.