A patient has been shot in the chest with a rifle. Assessment reveals a deteriorating level of consciousness and inadequate breathing. Positive pressure ventilation is being administered, and the entrance wound, located midclavicular at the second intercostal space on the left side of the chest, has been covered. Your next action would be to:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

With a gunshot wound to the chest, finding an exit wound is crucial as it may be indicative of the bullet's trajectory and the structures it may have damaged. This information can be vital in determining the patient's condition and necessary treatment. Checking blood pressure and obtaining vital signs are important interventions but should be done after assessing the extent of the injury. Placing a cervical collar is not necessary in this scenario unless there is evidence of a cervical spine injury.

A Patient Has Been Shot in the Chest with a Rifle