An 86-year-old male has a laceration on his forehead and complains of chest pain after a fall. What should you ask him to assess the situation?

Asking the patient, "What happened just before you fell?" is crucial as it helps to establish the mechanism of injury, which is vital in assessing the potential severity of both the chest pain and the laceration. Understanding the circumstances surrounding the fall can provide insights into the possible underlying causes, such as dizziness due to a medical condition or environmental hazards that may have contributed to the incident. Additionally, this question aids in determining whether the patient might have sustained further injuries, such as a head injury or other fractures, by clarifying how the fall occurred.

This context is essential in the emergency setting because it guides subsequent assessments and interventions, ensuring that the EMT can prioritize care based on the patient's current condition and the risk of complications from the fall and the associated injuries.