Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Intermediate Practice Exam

Upon finding a patient who has fallen from a height and exhibits bilateral femur fractures, what should be your initial action?

1. Assess for other injuries before moving

2. Open his airway and assess his breathing

3. Determine the mechanism of injury

4. Stabilize the legs before transporting

The correct answer is: Open his airway and assess his breathing

Opening the airway and assessing breathing is a critical initial action when you find a patient who has experienced trauma, such as falling from a height and exhibiting bilateral femur fractures. In trauma situations, especially with a significant fall, there is a heightened risk of compromised airway and breathing due to possible injuries to the head, neck, or thoracic area. Ensuring that the airway is clear and that the patient is breathing adequately is paramount before addressing other injuries. This is in line with the ABCs (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) of emergency care, which prioritize maintaining a patent airway and effective ventilation to avoid life-threatening complications. While assessing for other injuries, determining the mechanism of injury, and stabilizing the legs are all important parts of the patient assessment and management process, the immediate needs for airway management and breathing assessment take precedence in trauma care to ensure that the patient remains stable throughout the treatment and transport phases.