A 26-year-old with hemophilia fell in his garage, cutting his arm on a nail protruding from a door frame. Emergency Medical Responders are on scene holding a blood soaked towel on his right forearm. He is alert and oriented with a pale complexion. They report the following vital signs: pulse 98, respirations 18, blood pressure 142/66, and SpO₂ 99% on room air. Your initial priority in caring for this patient is:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The priority in caring for this patient is to stop the bleeding because he has hemophilia, a bleeding disorder that impairs the body's ability to form blood clots. This makes him more susceptible to excessive bleeding and can be life-threatening. Once the bleeding is controlled, the patient should be transported to the hospital for further evaluation and treatment. Providing supplemental oxygen and replacing the towel with a sterile dressing are important interventions, but they are not the immediate priority in this case.

A 26-Year-Old with Hemophilia Fell in His Garage, Cutting His