Triage principlesDownloads

A 45-year-old man was a driver in a motor vehicle collision. The patient is not able to offer a medical history during initial presentation. His temperature is 97.6°F (36.4°C), blood pressure is 104/74 mmHg, pulse is 150/min, respirations are 12/min, and oxygen saturation is 98% on room air. On exam, he does not open his eyes, he withdraws to pain, and he makes incomprehensible sounds. He has obvious signs of trauma to the chest and abdomen. His abdomen is distended and markedly tender to palpation. He also has an obvious open deformity of the left femur. What is the best initial step in management?

A 35-year-old man and his 9-year-old son are brought to the emergency department following a high-speed motor vehicle collision. The father was the restrained driver. He is conscious. His pulse is 135/min and his blood pressure is 76/55 mm Hg. His hemoglobin concentration is 5.9 g/dL. His son sustained multiple body contusions and loss of consciousness. He remains unresponsive in the emergency department. A focused assessment of the boy with sonography is concerning for multiple organ lacerations and internal bleeding. The physician decides to move the man's son to the operating room for emergency surgical exploration. The father says that he and his son are Jehovah's witnesses and do not want blood transfusions. The physician calls the boy's biological mother who confirms this religious belief. She also asks the physician to wait for her arrival before any other medical decisions are undertaken. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step for the physician?