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You are attending to a 27-year-old male driver of a car. According to his passenger, the patient had been acting strangely while driving, then slumped forward against the steering wheel, apparently unconscious. The car drove off the road and struck a telephone pole, THe patient reamins unconscious

a) combination of a psychiatric and trauma emergency
b) medical emergency
c) trauma emergency
d) combination of a medical and trauma emergency

1 Answer

2 votes

Final answer:

In the case presented, it's a combination of a medical and trauma emergency. For immediate blood transfusion without available blood type, O negative is used as it is universally accepted. Neurological exams in the emergency department are vital for assessing and localizing CNS injuries, including stroke.

Step-by-step explanation:

The situation with the 27-year-old male driver who slumped unconscious at the wheel and subsequently struck a telephone pole should be classified as a combination of a medical and trauma emergency. This is because the patient exhibited unusual behavior suggestive of a medical issue before experiencing a motor vehicle accident that could result in physical injuries. When a patient arrives at the emergency department following a serious motor vehicle accident with severe trauma and bleeding, and there is no time to determine their blood type, the type of blood transfused is O negative. This is because O negative blood is considered the universal donor type and can be given to individuals of any blood type without the risk of severe immunologic reactions.

Regarding a neurological examination in the emergency department, assessing reflexes, sensory responses, and motor control can help determine the impact of a possible stroke and localize the portion of the central nervous system that may be affected. This type of evaluation is crucial for managing trauma to the nervous system and developing appropriate treatment strategies.

User Kurtis Nusbaum
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