Emergency patient management
Triage Care scenarios involving car accidentA patient in car accident today brought in by
Ambulance personnel to the emergency room
where you work as care provider.
Senario
This is 30 African American male who is normally
healthy. He has presented to Emergency Room in a
motor vehicle accident. This patient is currently
having trouble breathing and very upset and
apprehensive. Rescue Personnel tell you that his
breath sounds absent in on the right side and chest
expansion is unequal and trachea shifted to the
left upon x-ray. There is large contusion to the
right rib cage. Patient has no known allergies, he is
normally healthy, no previously illness. His family
history is benign. No family history of any illness. He
does not drink alcohol, does not smoke or uses
drugs. He is not on any medication. He works at
auto mechanic at local mechanic shop. He eats
very healthy. he eats fruits and vegetables and
drinks 8 glasses of water a day. He walks normally
most day of the week for 30 minutes . He likes to
swim and he likes to golf and also he has no other
illnesses.
Vital signs
Temperature 97.2
Heart rate: 110 bpm
Blood pressure 140/92
Respiratory rate: 28
Oxygen saturation 88% at room air.
CT of the head done and it is normal
X-ray of extremities: No fracture
Internal bleeding has been ruled out
This patient does not have headache, no eye
complaint, no blurry vision, no eye pain or
drainage, no ear pain or drainage, no nasal pain or
drainage, no sore throat, no difficulty of
swallowing, no swollen glands, no known
respiratory problem in the past, no heart problem
in the past, no history of heart condition, no
nausea, no vomiting, no diarrhea. He has normal
stool daily. Voids 4 to 5 times a day, clear amber
urine. No blood observable blood in the urine. No
muscle weakness, no prior muscle weakness
He has no prior muscle weakness, no prior
neurological disorder, no prior tingling sensations
on extremities, no prior numbness. No specificity
Psych history:
Benign, no mood disorder, no problem with
anxiety, no depression, no feeling of hopelessness.
He is active and engage in social activities on the
normal basis.
Assessment
He is alert and apprehensive, his oxygen saturation
88% at room air. He appears cool, diaphoretic. He
has blue discoloration to his right anterior thorax.
He has normal cephalic. PERRLA. Sclera is clear. He
has pink nasal mucosa. His oral mucosa is pink and
moist without blood or drainage. Neck x-ray done.
Trachea deviation to the left. He has neck pain and
never pinch upon exam. He is tachycardia without
any murmur. He is tachypneic. His breath sounds
absent on right upper lob right lower lob with
unequal chest expansion. He has decreased tactile
fremitus hyperresonance on right upper lob and
right lower lob. His abdomen soft and none tender
positive bowl sounds. Moves all extremities
without limitations and good range of motion. His
strength 5 and 5 on upper and lower extremities.
His is DTR 2+.
How do you treat the above patient who was
presented to emergency room where you work as
provider?