Final answer:
A paramedic at a scene with multiple injuries should perform triage; prioritizing a patient with gunshot wounds to the chest, then dealing with a leg stabbing and finally a broken hand. Life-saving measures are administered before rapid transportation to a hospital.
Step-by-step explanation:
Upon arriving at a scene with multiple casualties, a paramedic must quickly assess and prioritize patients based on the severity of their injuries—a process known as triage. The first step is to perform a rapid assessment of each individual to determine the immediacy of their needs, considering factors such as airway, breathing, circulation, and severity of bleeding.
Given the scenario, the patient with gunshot wounds to the chest would be the highest priority, as chest wounds can be immediately life-threatening, affecting vital organs and leading to severe blood loss or compromised airways. The second priority would likely be the individual who was stabbed in the leg, especially if there is arterial bleeding or a large amount of blood loss.
Lastly, the individual with a broken hand, while in need of care, would be the lowest priority, assuming their injury is not life-threatening.
All patients would be assessed, and life-saving measures such as applying pressure to bleeding wounds, ensuring clear airways, and providing CPR if necessary would be performed. The paramedic calls for additional resources if needed and prepares for rapid transportation to a medical facility for further treatment.