A 16-year-old male was stabbed in the left lower quadrant. He is upset but vitals are stable. What should you do first?

• A. Provide Support and Transplant
• B. Cover the Wound With a Non-Porous Dressing
• C. Place Him in the Recovery Position
• D. Administer Oxygen by NRB

Answer: (A)

In penetrating trauma, the priority is to provide supportive care and get the patient to definitive care quickly. Even though vitals are stable, internal injuries may be present and require hospital treatment. So the first move is to stabilize as much as possible and arrange rapid transport, while continuing to monitor the patient and manage airway and breathing as needed. Giving high-flow oxygen fits into supportive care, but the key action is ensuring the patient is supported and transported promptly. Covering the wound is important for management, but it should not delay transport in a stable patient who may have internal injuries needing surgical intervention. The recovery position isn’t appropriate here, as it doesn’t address potential airway or breathing needs or the need for rapid transport.