A patient has fallen down a flight of stairs and is restless and confused. The airway is open, and he is adequately breathing 22 times per minute. He has a radial pulse of 92 beats per minute and is moderate in strength. Emergency Medical Responders are maintaining manual in-line spinal stabilization. Your next action would be to:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The patient has fallen down a flight of stairs and is restless and confused, indicating a possible head injury. The patient also has adequate breathing, a moderate radial pulse, and manual in-line spinal stabilization is being maintained. Therefore, the next best action would be to apply oxygen at 15 liters per minute via nonrebreather face mask to improve the oxygenation of the patient's brain, as head injuries may cause decreased oxygenation to the brain. Checking blood pressure and assessing for injuries causing blood loss can be done after the patient's oxygenation status has been addressed. Inserting an oral airway and starting positive pressure ventilation with oxygen is not necessary as the patient is breathing adequately. Immobilizing the patient with a cervical collar and long spine board is already being done by the Emergency Medical Responders.

A Patient Has Fallen Down a Flight of Stairs and Is