Final answer:
The priority intervention for a patient with significant abdominal and pelvic injuries from an MVC is administering intravenous fluids to manage shock and maintain organ perfusion. Secondary interventions like the FAST examination, urinary catheter insertion, and analgesics follow initial resuscitation.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the case of a patient with significant abdominal and pelvic injuries from a high-speed motor vehicle collision (MVC), the priority intervention is to administer intravenous fluids. This immediate intervention is crucial to manage potential shock due to severe bleeding and to maintain vital organ perfusion. A focused assessment with sonography for trauma (FAST) examination, inserting a urinary catheter, and administering analgesics are secondary considerations that follow initial resuscitation efforts.
When a patient's condition is critical from a MVC with severe bleeding and there is no time to determine their blood type, universal donor blood, type O negative, is transfused because it is most likely to be compatible with any patient. In less urgent scenarios, blood typing is performed to ensure compatibility and avoid any transfusion reactions. The FAST exam may provide rapid information about internal bleeding and injury to guide further treatment, while urinary catheter insertion can assist in monitoring urinary output, an important indicator of kidney function and fluid status. Analgesics for pain management are important but are not the immediate priority in the face of life-threatening hemorrhage.