31st January 2024

A middle-aged patient is brought to A+E after being found unconscious in the street, GCS 5 on admission

A middle-aged patient is brought to A+E after being found unconscious in the street, GCS 5 on admission. Airway is the patient’s own and patent. You see he has a prior history of several paracetamol overdose attempts and depression. He is prescribed diazepam from the GP on a PRN basis for a prior back injury, which he reported, that sometimes causes painful spasm. On assessment, his pupils are 7mm equal and reactive to light, reduced. Oxygen saturations are 79% on room air, and his respiratory rate is 8. What would be the most appropriate first acute management step?

Select the SINGLE most appropriate option from the list below. Select ONE option only.