Before you make physical contact with a patient with a knife impalement in the chest, it is MOST important to:

• A. Follow standard precautions
• B. Remove the knife immediately
• C. Move the patient to the ambulance
• D. Apply a dressing around the wound

Answer: (A)

Shifting your focus to your own safety first is essential. You must don the appropriate personal protective equipment and follow standard precautions before touching the patient. This protects you from exposure to bloodborne pathogens and other contaminants, which is the immediate priority because you can’t effectively help someone if you become a patient yourself.

Once you’re protected, you can proceed with care. In a chest impalement, you should not remove the knife; stabilize it to prevent further injury and control any bleeding, and apply dressings around the wound to minimize movement and contamination. Then move toward a rapid, safe transport for definitive care.