Final answer:
In an emergency where a child has severely lacerated an artery, the correct action is to provide immediate blood transfusion and surgery. Type O-negative blood is used as it is the universal donor type and is safe when there's no time for blood typing. Saline solutions may also be administered to replace lost blood volume and stabilize the patient.
Step-by-step explanation:
Blood Transfusion in Emergency Situations
In an emergency situation where a 7-year-old boy has lacerated his radial artery and is in need of immediate medical attention, the correct course of action would be to provide immediate blood transfusion and surgery if needed. In such acute emergencies, where severe bleeding poses an imminent risk to life, waiting for parental consent might not be feasible due to the urgency of the situation. As per medical protocols, in cases of severe hemorrhage, type O blood may be transfused, specifically O-negative for children and females of childbearing age, because it is considered the universal donor type and is the safest option when there is no time for determining blood type. It is important to note that this is only done when the hemorrhage is an immediate threat to life, and cross-matching to determine the exact blood type is typically necessary before transfusion under normal circumstances. Additionally, medical professionals may also administer a saline solution to help replace some of the volume of blood that has been lost and provide essential fluids and electrolytes. This is guided by the principle that if there is a risk of blood loss of at least 500 ml (or 7 ml/kg of body weight, in children), appropriate access and fluids must be made available to stabilize the patient.
While the school teacher's input may be valuable for background information, they should not be consulted for medical decisions. The healthcare professionals in the emergency department are trained to handle such critical situations following established medical protocols and guidelines.