A 68-year-old female patient complains of a headache and generalized weakness. Her husband informs you that she was with a friend yesterday and was involved in a motor vehicle collision. She did strike her face on the dashboard, but refused treatment on scene. Her past medical history includes a stroke with right arm weakness and high blood pressure, for which she takes medications. When assessing this patient, which finding should concern the EMT most?

Here are some first aid steps you can take for head trauma while waiting for emergency medical help: Keep the person still: Have the injured person lie down with their head and shoulders slightly elevated. Don't move the person unless necessary, and avoid moving their neck. Stop any bleeding: Use sterile gauze or a clean cloth to apply firm pressure to the wound. If you suspect a skull fracture, don't apply direct pressure to the wound. Monitor breathing and alertness: If the person shows no signs of circulation, begin CPR. Keep the head in line with the spine: If the injury is serious,... Show more

Here are some first aid steps you can take for head trauma while waiting for emergency medical help:
Keep the person still: Have the injured person lie down with their head and shoulders slightly elevated. Don't move the person unless necessary, and avoid moving their neck.
Stop any bleeding: Use sterile gauze or a clean cloth to apply firm pressure to the wound. If you suspect a skull fracture, don't apply direct pressure to the wound.
Monitor breathing and alertness: If the person shows no signs of circulation, begin CPR.
Keep the head in line with the spine: If the injury is serious, be careful not to move the person's head.
Hold something cold against the injury: This can reduce swelling. 

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