Question

A construction worker's arm was severed just above the elbow when a steel girder fell on it. The stump is covered with a blood-soaked towel. The patient's skin is cool, clammy, and pale. The EMT should ________.

1) administer high-flow oxygen to the patient.
2) remove the towel and inspect the wound.
3) apply a tourniquet just below the shoulder.
4) wrap the severed arm in a sterile dressing.

Answer 1

In response to a construction worker whose arm was severed, an EMT should administer high-flow oxygen, apply a tourniquet below the shoulder, and wrap the severed arm in a sterile dressing to control bleeding and stabilize the patient.

Step-by-step explanation:

A construction worker's arm was severed just above the elbow when a steel girder fell on it. The EMT should administer high-flow oxygen to the patient, apply a tourniquet just below the shoulder, and wrap the severed arm in a sterile dressing. These steps are critical in controlling the bleeding and stabilizing the patient before they can be taken to a hospital for further treatment.

Administering high-flow oxygen helps to ensure that the patient's tissues are getting enough oxygen, which is especially crucial if there's been significant blood loss. The tourniquet should be applied in order to control the bleeding. A tourniquet should be placed above the injury but below the shoulder, being cautious not to place it over a joint. Lastly, wrapping the severed arm in a sterile dressing and placing it in a plastic bag, then in cool water, preserves the limb for potential reattachment without causing frostbite to the tissue.