In the case of a seven-year-old child who has been ejected from a vehicle, what is the priority action?

In the scenario involving a seven-year-old child who has been ejected from a vehicle, the priority action is to perform a rapid trauma assessment. This assessment is crucial because the child has experienced significant trauma with potential life-threatening injuries, especially considering the mechanism of ejection from a vehicle.

Performing a rapid trauma assessment allows you to quickly identify any critical injuries that require immediate intervention. During this assessment, vital signs, level of consciousness, and any external injuries are evaluated to ensure that life threats are addressed promptly. Time is of the essence in trauma cases, and rapidly assessing the extent of the injuries can guide further treatment decisions and transport priorities.

While providing reassurance to the child is important for their psychological well-being, it does not take precedence over immediate medical evaluation in a trauma scenario. Similarly, beginning transport without assessing the child could overlook potentially severe injuries that need to be addressed before moving them. Completing a full set of vitals is a part of the trauma assessment but should not delay the rapid assessment that identifies life threats. Therefore, conducting a rapid trauma assessment is the most appropriate and urgent action to take in this situation.