37.50. Primary actions when providing pre-medical aid to casualties suspected of shock:
UAПершочергові дії при наданні домедичної допомоги постраждалим за підозри шоку:
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This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns road safety after a traffic accident and basic first aid skills that can save lives before doctors arrive. Shock in a casualty is a life-threatening condition that progresses rapidly, so it is important for the driver or witness to act in sequence: minimize risks, avoid worsening injuries, and ensure the prompt involvement of emergency services. Such knowledge is tested not only as 'theory', but also as practical readiness to act in a critical situation during the theoretical exam.
The question checks understanding of the driver's duties in the event of a road traffic accident and the prioritization of actions arising from the traffic rules, in particular the definition of a traffic accident (point 1.10) and the requirements of point 2.10 regarding calling emergency medical services and taking possible first aid measures. The correct logic is as follows: first call 103 or 112 and follow the dispatcher’s instructions, then, if possible, eliminate the cause that aggravates shock (for example, ongoing injury, hypothermia, significant bleeding), and provide the anti-shock position (lay down, raise the legs, loosen clothing on the neck and chest, cover up). This corresponds to the principle 'first involve professional help, while simultaneously supporting vital functions'.
The analysis of options in this exam question is simple: the correct option prioritizes calling EMS and coordinating actions through the dispatcher, and only then anti-shock measures and elimination of causes worsening the condition, which is consistent with the Traffic Rules of Ukraine and real first aid algorithms. The incorrect option suggests starting with sedatives, which is a common mistake: such actions can mask symptoms, complicate assessment of the condition, have undesirable effects, and distract from the main thing — promptly calling medics; food or drink should also not be given. Understanding this sequence helps not only to pass the theoretical exam, but also to act correctly in a real traffic accident, without losing critically important time.
Clause 1.10 (term "Road Traffic Accident")
Road traffic accident — an event that occurred during the movement of a vehicle, as a result of which people were killed or injured, or material damage was caused.
This term sets the context within which the Traffic Rules impose on the driver the duties of calling emergency services and providing pre-medical assistance to victims (including in cases of suspected shock).
Clause 2.10
In the event of involvement in a road traffic accident, the driver is obliged to take possible measures to provide pre-medical assistance to the injured and to call emergency medical services.
This clause of the Traffic Rules directly checks knowledge of the priority of actions: calling emergency medical services and providing pre-medical assistance as far as possible (which includes anti-shock measures as part of pre-medical assistance, although a specific "anti-shock position" is not described separately in the Traffic Rules).
Thus, the correct answer is "Call emergency medical services and follow the instructions of the dispatcher, if possible identify and eliminate the cause of shock, and place the victim in an anti-shock position," given that according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, the driver in the event of an accident is obliged to call emergency medical services and take possible measures to provide pre-medical assistance to the injured.
If shock is suspected, you must act as in a life-threatening situation: organs may not be receiving enough blood and oxygen, and the victim's condition can deteriorate rapidly. Therefore, the primary task of the driver or witness to the accident is not to "treat," but to ensure the rapid involvement of professional help and to support vital functions until it arrives.
The first action should be to call emergency medical services at 103 (or 112) and follow the dispatcher’s instructions. The dispatcher will clarify the symptoms, advise on the order of actions, and warn about common mistakes. This is important because in cases of shock, time is critical, and incorrect actions (such as trying to give the person something to drink or lifting them) can cause harm.
Next, if it is safe, you should try to find and remove the cause that is triggering or worsening the shock. In road situations, this most often refers to triggers such as significant bleeding, severe pain, hypothermia, or ongoing injury. That is, you do what you can realistically do on the spot: stop the dangerous influence, control visible bleeding if possible, protect from cold, and avoid unnecessary movement of the victim.
At the same time, you should provide the anti-shock position to support blood supply to vital organs: lay the person on their back, raise their legs (by placing a rolled-up piece of clothing or another available item under them), loosen clothing at the neck and chest, and cover them. If the victim loses consciousness, monitor breathing and pulse; if there are no signs of life, follow the resuscitation algorithm, and if breathing is present, ensure a safe position to prevent the tongue from blocking the airway and to avoid vomit entering the respiratory tract. Do not give food or drink, so as not to complicate the condition and further medical assistance.
Thus, the correct answer is "Call emergency medical services and follow the dispatcher’s instructions, if possible identify and eliminate the cause of shock, and provide the victim with the anti-shock position," because in suspected shock, the first priorities are rapid medical response, elimination of the aggravating factor, and correct body positioning to support circulation until EMS arrives.