Taking Body Substance Isolation (BSI) precautions is essential before beginning an assessment on a patient who has just sustained a traumatic injury. This step is crucial as it protects both the healthcare provider and the patient from potential exposure to blood or other bodily fluids that could be infectious. By ensuring that appropriate protective gear, such as gloves, masks, and eye protection, is used, you minimize the risk of contamination or infection, fostering a safer environment for care.
In emergency situations, while waiting for additional support services may be necessary, immediate action, such as taking BSI precautions, is often prioritized to ensure safety before any further steps. Starting to assess vital signs is important, but it should only be done after establishing a safe environment. Discussing the patient's family about their medical history may provide useful information, but it does not take precedence over ensuring personal safety and minimizing health risks.