West Coast EMT Block One Exam

You and your partner arrive at the scene of a major motor vehicle crash. The driver is severely entrapped and unresponsive. What should you do?

1. Ventilate the patient for 5 minutes and then stop if there is no response.

2. Stop any active bleeding and advise dispatch to send a paramedic crew.

3. Have your partner check for a pulse to confirm that the patient is deceased.

4. Request the fire department to extricate the patient so you can begin CPR.

The correct answer is: Have your partner check for a pulse to confirm that the patient is deceased.

In a scenario where a driver is severely entrapped and unresponsive, the most critical factor to consider is the patient's potential for survival and the immediate actions required to assess their condition. Checking for a pulse is a vital step in determining if the patient is alive or deceased. If there is no pulse, it is essential to recognize that advanced life support measures may not be necessary, and the focus can shift to other patients or concerns at the scene. This approach allows for the swift allocation of resources. If a pulse is detected, it indicates that the patient may still have a chance for survival, and immediate interventions (like requesting extrication and providing CPR) would then be appropriate. Making this assessment promptly is crucial in emergency medicine, particularly in high-stress situations like a major motor vehicle crash. The other options, while they touch upon critical considerations like ventilation or bleeding control, do not prioritize the urgent need to verify the patient's pulse and make quick decisions based on that assessment. The dynamics of the scene often require immediate recognition of the patient's status to ensure proper and timely care is provided to those who need it most.