Four patients arrive in the Emergency Department following a motor vehicle accident. Which patient should the nursing officer assess first?
1
A 45-year-old patient complaining of abdominal pain with visible bruising across the abdomen.
2
A 30-year-old patient with a femur fracture, alert and oriented, with stable vital signs.
3
A 23-year-old patient with a scalp laceration, actively bleeding, but conscious and responsive.
4
A 55-year-old patient with chest pain and difficulty breathing, suspected rib fractures.