The emergency department (ED) triage nurse is assessing four victims involved in a motor vehicle collision. Which patient has the highest priority for treatment?
a. A patient with no pedal pulses.
b. A patient with an open femur fracture.
c. A patient with bleeding facial lacerations.
d. A patient with paradoxic chest movements.
ANS: D
Most immediate deaths from trauma occur because of problems with ventilation, so the patient with paradoxic chest movements should be treated first. Face and head fractures can obstruct the airway, but the patient with facial injuries only has lacerations. The other two patients also need rapid intervention but do not have airway or breathing problems.
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