Final answer:
If a patient stops responding during a physical exam, it is vital to quickly perform a rapid neurological assessment and repeat the primary assessment, checking for airway, breathing, and circulation, as well as immediate changes in neurological status.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a patient who previously responded to questions during a physical exam suddenly stops responding, a rapid assessment of neurological function becomes critical. The healthcare provider should first ensure basic life support principles are in place, checking the airway, breathing, and circulation (ABCs). Then, repeating the primary assessment is essential to determine any changes in the patient’s condition, focusing on the level of consciousness and any new or worsening neurological signs, like the patient's ability to respond to verbal commands or pain. Given that the patient had prior symptoms of pins and needles and difficulty with sensory perception after a significant fall, this could point to a neurological injury such as a stroke or trauma to the spinal cord.
Based on the initial findings of sensory deficits, additional tests that may be performed include neuroimaging such as CT scan or MRI to identify any structural damage or abnormalities in the brain or spinal cord. Treatment recommendations could include the continuation of aspirin therapy to prevent blood clots and potential rapid intervention based on the neuroimaging results. It is critical to act quickly, as delays in the management of potential neurological trauma or stroke can lead to worsened outcomes for the patient.