If multiple patients have been struck by lightning, who should you assess first?

Assessing the motionless patient first is crucial because they may have sustained severe injuries that could be life-threatening. In situations involving lightning strikes, loss of consciousness often occurs, and a motionless patient could indicate a critical condition such as cardiac arrest or respiratory failure. Prompt assessment and intervention for the patient who is unresponsive can significantly improve their chances of recovery.

In emergency scenarios, prioritizing the most critically injured individuals is essential. The ambulatory and sitting patients likely show some level of stability and responsiveness, suggesting they may not be in immediate danger compared to someone who is motionless. Additionally, conscious patients, while they may appear stable, do not necessarily indicate that they are free of significant injuries caused by the lightning strike; therefore, they might not need immediate attention as urgently as someone who is unresponsive.