Question

also is this a critical patient?

You are called to a single vehicle rollover on the interstate. Bystanders state that they saw the vehicle veer off the road at highway speeds and roll several times. The road is clear and dry and no animals or debris were seen on the road. You find the SUV on its wheels in a field with significant damage. The only patient is a 36-year-old male who is slow to answer questions, alert to person and place, but unsure of the day. His pulse is 100, respirations are 24 and regular, skin is pale. He is not bleeding and you don't see any obvious trauma. He says he doesn't have any pain and just feels hungry. List at least 3 questions you would ask the patient regarding the mechanism of injury.

Answer 1

The 3 questions which can asked regarding the mechanisms of injury

• The speed of the vehicle when the accident occured
• Has the patient hit his head or back when the vehicle rolled over several times
• Did the patient had any injury at the spinal cord or at neck
• Any complaints of blurring of vision

Thus patient though doesn't exhibit any abnormalities at present he is at high risk for neurological problems and should be leot under observation for already 24 to 48 hours to ensure the latent develop no complications.