A young female was involved in an altercation and stabbed in the abdomen with an ice pick. After being stabbed, she quickly removed the ice pick. She states that there was not much bleeding but does say it "stings" quite a bit. Assessment reveals a small puncture wound to the right upper quadrant with some dried blood around the site. Which of the following best describes the primary focus of the EMT in caring for this patient?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The primary focus of the EMT should be to assess for internal bleeding or shock. Despite the patient's report of minimal bleeding, the nature of the injury and the location make it necessary to assess for potential internal bleeding. This is a higher priority than keeping the entry site clean, assessing for underlying spleen injury or preventing air from entering the abdominal cavity.

A Young Female Was Involved in an Altercation and Stabbed