An alert and oriented patient has had a portion of his hand amputated by a table saw. Assessment reveals the patient to be in great pain with a moderate amount of dark red blood still coming from the injury site. His airway is open and his breathing is fast, but adequate. The radial pulse is rapid and strong, and his skin is warm and dry. The patient's hand has been placed in a bag of ice by coworkers. Which one of the following should the EMT do immediately?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The EMT should immediately control the bleeding with direct pressure. This is the most urgent priority in managing any severe bleeding, and failure to control the bleeding can lead to shock and even death. Inserting a nasopharyngeal airway and obtaining a full set of vital signs can be important steps in managing the patient's overall condition, but they are secondary to controlling the bleeding. Removing the amputated part from the ice may not be necessary at this time, as it is important to ensure that the bleeding is controlled first.

An Alert and Oriented Patient Has Had a Portion of His