Final answer:
Administer oxygen and prepare for rapid transport is the correct response for this assault victim, as the symptoms indicate potential hypovolemic shock. Oxygen administration helps address hypoxia, and rapid transport ensures he receives prompt medical intervention.
Step-by-step explanation:
The appropriate response for a 22-year-old male who was assaulted and presents with widespread contusions, abrasions, a rapid and weak pulse, and cool and clammy skin is to administer oxygen and prepare for rapid transport. These symptoms are indicative of shock, potentially hypovolemic shock resulting from trauma and blood loss. The most pressing concerns in this situation are the maintenance of airway, breathing, and circulation (often referred to as ABCs in trauma care), and stabilizing the patient for transportation to an emergency care facility where further evaluation and treatment can be provided.
While a rapid neurological exam is critical in assessing a patient who may have experienced a stroke as it helps narrow down the location of CNS damage, the victim in this scenario demonstrates signs of shock rather than a stroke. Here, time is of the essence, and providing oxygen can help address hypoxia, while rapid transport ensures that he receives the necessary medical attention, including potential fluid resuscitation and treatment for his injuries, as soon as possible. An in-depth neurological assessment and focused exams like abdominal exams should be performed in the controlled environment of a hospital.