An elderly man arrives at the ED by ambulance after
a car crash. He is immobilized on a backboard with a cervical
collar and an oxygen mask is in place. There is a
bruise across his abdomen where the seat belt was applied.
He is groaning loudly and seems confused; he cannot tell
you what has happened, where he is at present, nor what
day of the week it is, although he can tell you his full
name. You note a shallow, rapid breathing pattern of 26
breaths per minute. How would you prioritize the patient’s
needs? Develop an assessment strategy, identify diagnostic
studies that will benefit the patient, and describe the
patient’s priority treatment needs.
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