An 18-year-old patient has a gunshot wound and is increasingly anxious during assessment. What is your best response?

In an emergency scenario involving a gunshot wound, addressing the patient's anxiety while ensuring their safety and the safety of responders is crucial. Verifying with law enforcement that the patient has been properly searched is vital because it establishes a safe environment for the medical personnel and the patient. If the scene is still deemed unsafe or if there is potential for further harm, it is important to ensure that the patient is in a secure setting before proceeding with treatment. This response acknowledges the potential dangers associated with gunshot wounds and the possibility of active threats, allowing for medical care to be rendered without compromising safety.

Focusing solely on transporting the patient without verifying their safety could place both the patient and responders at risk. While obtaining vital signs is important, it should ideally occur in a secure environment. Reassessing the scene for additional patients or continuing the primary assessment away from the police may neglect the critical aspect of patient safety in a potentially hazardous situation. Thus, ensuring the patient has been searched by law enforcement not only addresses anxiety but also prioritizes the safety of everyone involved.