Your Patient Is a Construction Worker Who Fell 15 Feet

Multiple Choice

Your patient is a construction worker who fell 15 feet and has a 3-foot metal concrete reinforcement bar (rebar) impaled in his right thigh. Which of the following is the best action?

A) Administer sodium bicarbonate to combat acidosis resulting from the destruction of muscle tissue.
B) If the proper tools and personnel are present, have rescuers cut the rebar to a manageable length.
C) If you can see both ends of the rebar, gently remove it and irrigate the wound with sterile saline.
D) Transport the patient without attempting to shorten or remove the rebar.