West Coast EMT Block One Exam

You arrive at the scene of a motor vehicle-versus-pedestrian accident involving a 13-year-old male patient. What should you do?

1. Withhold treatment until the parents arrive and give you consent for treatment.

2. Transport the child immediately and have the parents meet you at the hospital.

3. Begin transport at once and have the parents meet you en route to the hospital.

4. Treat the child at the scene and wait for the parents to arrive and give consent.

The correct answer is: Transport the child immediately and have the parents meet you at the hospital.

Transporting the child immediately while having the parents meet you at the hospital prioritizes the patient's urgent medical needs, which is critical in emergency situations. In the case of a serious injury, such as one resulting from a vehicle collision, the patient's well-being and the need for rapid medical intervention take precedence over obtaining consent. In emergencies, particularly involving a minor, the law often allows health care providers to act in the best interests of the patient when parents or guardians are not immediately available. By transporting the child straight to the hospital, you ensure that he receives the necessary care as quickly as possible, which can significantly impact outcomes, especially if there are potentially life-threatening injuries involved. This approach also allows parents to be informed of the situation and gives them the opportunity to join their child at the hospital, where they can consent to further treatment as needed. By acting swiftly, you adhere to the principles of emergency medical care, which prioritizes the humanitarian response to medical crises over administrative protocols that involve consent.