A 22-year-old male attempted to hang himself in a garage using chains suspended from the roof trusses. He was quickly found by family members and taken down to the ground. Currently he is complaining of neck pain as well as mild difficulty breathing. Assessment shows his airway to be patent, breathing adequate, and skin warm and dry. His neck is red, but free of any subcutaneous air or swelling. Your partner has identified an abnormal bony protrusion to a couple of his cervical vertebrae. What should you do first when caring for this patient?

Here are some signs of serious head injuries: Altered consciousness, Skull deformities, Clear fluid from the ears or nose, Vision changes, and Nausea and vomiting.  First aid for head injuries includes: Encouraging the injured person to minimize any movement of their head or neck Controlling any significant blood loss from head wounds with direct pressure and a dressing Monitoring their airway and breathing until the arrival of an ambulance  Some signs of penetrating neck trauma include: Minor hemoptysis Hematemesis Dysphonia Dysphagia Subcutaneous, or mediastinal air Non-expanding... Show more

Here are some signs of serious head injuries: Altered consciousness, Skull deformities, Clear fluid from the ears or nose, Vision changes, and Nausea and vomiting. 

First aid for head injuries includes:
Encouraging the injured person to minimize any movement of their head or neck
Controlling any significant blood loss from head wounds with direct pressure and a dressing
Monitoring their airway and breathing until the arrival of an ambulance 

Some signs of penetrating neck trauma include:
Minor hemoptysis
Hematemesis
Dysphonia
Dysphagia
Subcutaneous, or mediastinal air
Non-expanding hematoma 

Some signs of airway injury include: dyspnea, hemoptysis, subcutaneous air, stridor, and hoarseness. 

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