A 49-year-old alcoholic patient has fallen down a flight of stairs after consuming two-fifths of cheap whiskey. He presents with confused and slurred speech and the smell of alcohol on his breath. Family states that he is "hopeless" and has been drinking more and more every night. They also say that he must be more drunk than usual because he usually does not slur his speech. Assessment reveals his airway to be open, breathing adequate, and circulation intact. He has a bruise from the fall to the left side of his head and he is complaining of pain to his left wrist. Given these assessment findings, the EMT would be most concerned about the:

Question

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The EMT should be most concerned about the bruise to the head as it may indicate a traumatic brain injury, which could potentially be life-threatening. The amount of alcohol consumed and the lack of family support are important factors to consider for the patient’s long-term care and recovery, but are not urgent concerns in the immediate moment. The possible wrist fracture should also be addressed, but is a lower priority than the potential head injury.

A 49-Year-Old Alcoholic Patient Has Fallen Down a Flight of Stairs