Question

During your primary assessment of a semiconscious 30-year-old female with closed head trauma, you note that she has slow, irregular breathing and a slow,

bounding pulse. As your partner maintains manual in-line stabilization of her head, you should:

A. immediately place her on a long backboard and prepare for rapid transport.

B. apply 100% oxygen via a nonrebreathing mask and obtain baseline vital signs.

C. instruct him to assist her ventilations while you perform a rapid assessment.

D. perform a focused secondary assessment of the patient's head and neck.

Answer 1

In a primary assessment of a semiconscious patient with head trauma, the best course of action is to apply 100% oxygen and monitor vital signs. CPR, notably high-quality chest compressions, is critical when the heart stops, and rapid neurological assessment is key in emergencies to prevent brain damage.

Step-by-step explanation:

During your primary assessment of a semiconscious 30-year-old female with closed head trauma, noting slow, irregular breathing and a slow, bounding pulse, the appropriate action is to apply 100% oxygen via a nonrebreathing mask as your partner maintains manual in-line stabilization of her head. This oxygenation is critical as the brain can suffer irreversible damage due to lack of blood flow and oxygenation after only a few minutes. Questions like 'Why is a rapid assessment of neurological function important in an emergency situation?' highlight the importance of quick intervention to assess and maintain brain function. At the same time, while CPR is essential when the heart has stopped, it is currently emphasized to perform high-quality chest compressions, over providing artificial respiration, to maintain blood flow until spontaneous circulation resumes or intervention by healthcare professionals occurs.