You and your EMT partner arrive at the residence of a 50-year-old man who complains of weakness. Your primary assessment reveals that he is critically ill and will require aggressive treatment. The closest hospital is 25 miles away. You should:

You and your EMT partner arrive at the residence of a 50-year-old man who complains of weakness. Your primary assessment reveals that he is critically ill and will require aggressive treatment. The closest hospital is 25 miles away. You should:

• A. administer oxygen via nonrebreathing mask and obtain as much of his medical history as possible.
• B. load him into the ambulance, begin transport, and perform all treatment en route to the hospital.
• C. manage all threats to airway, breathing, and circulation and consider requesting an ALS unit.
• D. perform a detailed secondary assessment, assess his vital signs, and then transport rapidly.

Answer: (C)

The main idea is to prioritize life-saving stabilization for a critically ill patient: secure the airway, support breathing, and ensure circulation, then bring in advanced help as needed. In this scenario, you don’t wait to gather a full history or perform a lengthy secondary exam before doing what keeps the patient alive. Focus first on the basics of ABCs—make sure the airway is open and patency is maintained, provide high-flow oxygen or assist ventilation if needed, and assess and support circulation (check perfusion, establish IV access, and treat shock if present). Because the hospital is 25 miles away, rapid stabilization and the potential need for advanced interventions are crucial, so you should also consider requesting an ALS unit to bring additional capabilities and medications. Once the patient is stabilized, you can transport with continuous monitoring and ongoing care.

The main idea is to prioritize life-saving stabilization for a critically ill patient: secure the airway, support breathing, and ensure circulation, then bring in advanced help as needed. In this scenario, you don’t wait to gather a full history or perform a lengthy secondary exam before doing what keeps the patient alive. Focus first on the basics of ABCs—make sure the airway is open and patency is maintained, provide high-flow oxygen or assist ventilation if needed, and assess and support circulation (check perfusion, establish IV access, and treat shock if present). Because the hospital is 25 miles away, rapid stabilization and the potential need for advanced interventions are crucial, so you should also consider requesting an ALS unit to bring additional capabilities and medications. Once the patient is stabilized, you can transport with continuous monitoring and ongoing care.