You are called to the scene of a pedestrian who has been struck by a car

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 92 views

You are called to the scene of a pedestrian who has been struck by a car

Assessing the Patient's Condition

When you arrive at the scene, you notice that the pedestrian is unresponsive, which means they are not conscious or able to respond to their environment. This is a critical sign that requires immediate attention. The patient's radial pulse is rapid, regular, and weak, which indicates that their heart is beating, but at a faster rate than normal. The skin is pale, cool, and clammy, which suggests that the patient is experiencing shock. Shock is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body is unable to maintain its blood pressure, leading to inadequate blood flow to vital organs.

Understanding the Signs and Symptoms

The patient's rapid, regular, and weak radial pulse is a sign of tachycardia, which is a heart rate that is faster than normal. This can be caused by a variety of factors, including stress, anxiety, or a medical condition. The patient's pale, cool, and clammy skin is a sign of hypoperfusion, which is a condition where the body's tissues are not receiving enough oxygen and nutrients. This can be caused by a variety of factors, including shock, dehydration, or a medical condition.

Determining the Cause of the Patient's Condition

Given the patient's symptoms, it is likely that they are experiencing shock due to the trauma caused by the car accident. Shock can be caused by a variety of factors, including blood loss, infection, or a medical condition. In this case, the patient's rapid, regular, and weak radial pulse, pale, cool, and clammy skin, and lack of external bleeding suggest that they are experiencing hypovolemic shock, which is a type of shock caused by a decrease in blood volume.

Providing Emergency Care

To provide emergency care, you should follow the principles of the ABCDE approach, which stands for Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, and Exposure. This approach is used to assess and manage patients who are experiencing a medical emergency.

Airway

Check the patient's airway for any obstructions, such as food or vomit.
If the patient is unconscious, turn them onto their side to maintain a clear airway.
Use a bag-valve-mask (BVM) device to provide oxygen if the patient is not breathing.

Breathing

Check the patient's breathing rate and depth.
If the patient is not breathing, use a BVM device to provide oxygen.
If the patient is breathing, but with difficulty, use a nasal cannula to provide supplemental oxygen.

Circulation

Check the patient's radial pulse and blood pressure.
If the patient is experiencing shock, use intravenous fluids to expand their blood volume.
If the patient is experiencing cardiac arrest, use a defibrillator to restore their heart rhythm.

Disability

Check the patient's level of consciousness using the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS).
If the patient is unconscious, use a neurological assessment tool to assess their level of disability.
If the patient is experiencing a neurological deficit, use a neurological assessment tool to assess the severity of the deficit.

Exposure

Remove any clothing or jewelry that may be constricting the patient's airway.
Use a blanket or sheet to keep the patient warm.
Use a stethoscope to listen to the patient's heart and lungs.

Stabilizing the Patient

Once you have assessed the patient's condition and provided emergency care, you should stabilize them to prevent further complications. This may involve:

Using intravenous fluids to expand the patient's blood volume.
Administering medications to manage the patient's symptoms.
Transferring the patient to a hospital or medical facility for further treatment.

Conclusion

When you are called to the scene of a pedestrian who has been struck by a car, it is essential to assess their condition quickly and provide emergency care. The patient's rapid, regular, and weak radial pulse, pale, cool, and clammy skin, and lack of external bleeding suggest that they are experiencing hypovolemic shock. To provide emergency care, you should follow the principles of the ABCDE approach and stabilize the patient to prevent further complications.
You are called to the scene of a pedestrian who has been struck by a car: Q&A

Q: What is the first thing I should do when I arrive at the scene?

A: The first thing you should do is assess the patient's condition. Check their airway, breathing, and circulation (ABCs) to determine if they are stable or if they require immediate medical attention.

Q: What does it mean if the patient's radial pulse is rapid, regular, and weak?

A: A rapid, regular, and weak radial pulse indicates that the patient's heart is beating at a faster rate than normal. This can be a sign of shock, which is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body is unable to maintain its blood pressure.

Q: What does it mean if the patient's skin is pale, cool, and clammy?

A: A pale, cool, and clammy skin is a sign of hypoperfusion, which is a condition where the body's tissues are not receiving enough oxygen and nutrients. This can be caused by a variety of factors, including shock, dehydration, or a medical condition.

Q: What is the difference between hypovolemic shock and other types of shock?

A: Hypovolemic shock is a type of shock caused by a decrease in blood volume. This can be caused by blood loss, dehydration, or a medical condition. Other types of shock include cardiogenic shock, which is caused by a heart condition, and distributive shock, which is caused by a condition that affects the body's ability to regulate blood flow.

Q: How do I provide emergency care to a patient who is experiencing shock?

A: To provide emergency care to a patient who is experiencing shock, you should follow the principles of the ABCDE approach. This includes:

Checking the patient's airway for any obstructions
Providing oxygen if the patient is not breathing
Checking the patient's circulation and using intravenous fluids to expand their blood volume if necessary
Assessing the patient's level of consciousness and neurological function
Exposing the patient to prevent heat loss and provide warmth

Q: What are the signs and symptoms of hypovolemic shock?

A: The signs and symptoms of hypovolemic shock include:

Rapid, regular, and weak radial pulse
Pale, cool, and clammy skin
Decreased blood pressure
Decreased urine output
Decreased level of consciousness

Q: How do I stabilize a patient who is experiencing shock?

A: To stabilize a patient who is experiencing shock, you should:

Use intravenous fluids to expand their blood volume
Administer medications to manage their symptoms
Transfer the patient to a hospital or medical facility for further treatment

Q: What is the importance of assessing the patient's airway, breathing, and circulation (ABCs)?

A: Assessing the patient's ABCs is crucial in determining if they are stable or if they require immediate medical attention. If the patient's airway is obstructed, they may not be able to breathe, which can lead to cardiac arrest. If the patient's breathing is inadequate, they may not be receiving enough oxygen, which can lead to tissue damage. If the patient's circulation is inadequate, they may not be receiving enough blood flow to their vital organs, which can lead to organ failure.

Q: What is the role of the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) in assessing a patient's level of consciousness?

A: The GCS is a neurological assessment tool used to assess a patient's level of consciousness. It evaluates the patient's eye opening, verbal response, and motor response to determine their level of consciousness. The GCS is a critical tool in assessing a patient's neurological function and determining the severity of their injury.

Q: What is the importance of providing oxygen to a patient who is not breathing?

A: Providing oxygen to a patient who is not breathing is crucial in preventing tissue damage and promoting recovery. Oxygen is essential for the body's tissues to function properly, and without it, the patient may experience organ failure and death.

Q: What is the role of intravenous fluids in treating shock?

A: Intravenous fluids are used to expand the patient's blood volume and restore blood flow to their vital organs. They are essential in treating shock and preventing organ failure.

Q: What is the importance of transferring a patient to a hospital or medical facility for further treatment?

A: Transferring a patient to a hospital or medical facility for further treatment is crucial in providing them with the necessary care and attention to recover from their injury. A hospital or medical facility has the necessary equipment and staff to provide the patient with the care they need to recover from their injury.