Question

You are transporting a victim of domestic​ violence, a​ 25-year-old female, who was struck on the head several times with a baseball bat. On the​ scene, she was responsive to verbal stimuli and was bleeding profusely from an open head wound. During transport the patient becomes unresponsive. Which of the following should you do​ next?

Answer 1

In the event that a victim of domestic violence with a head injury becomes unresponsive during transport, immediate action includes assessing and managing the ABCs, providing basic life support, and notifying the receiving facility while preparing for potential complications.

Step-by-step explanation:

If you are transporting a victim of domestic violence who has sustained a head injury and becomes unresponsive during transport, you should immediately assess her airway, breathing, and circulation (ABCs). If necessary, commence basic life support and rapid transport. Notify the receiving facility of the change in the patient's status. It is imperative to continually monitor vital signs and prepare to manage potential complications like airway obstruction or shock. Hospitals often have protocols for managing potential traumatic brain injuries, which may involve advanced imaging such as MRI or CT scans and could include urgent neurosurgical intervention depending on the extent of the injury. In cases of severe head trauma, complications like bleeding and infection are common, and immediate and appropriate medical response is critical for the patient's prognosis.