For a patient with a gunshot wound to the leg, what should you assess immediately?

In cases of a gunshot wound, immediate assessment and management focus on controlling bleeding and preventing further harm to the patient. When a gunshot wound occurs, there is a significant risk of rapid blood loss, which can lead to shock and potentially life-threatening conditions. Therefore, controlling bleeding is the priority; this involves applying direct pressure to the wound, using a sterile dressing, or employing a tourniquet if the bleeding is severe.

Covering the wound with a dressing helps protect the injury from contamination and further injury while providing a barrier against infection. This step is critical because not only does it help in controlling blood loss, but it also stabilizes the area and prepares it for further medical intervention.

Assessing distal pulses and sensory/motor functions is important but comes after bleeding control is addressed. Stabilizing the leg and manipulating it could risk exacerbating the injury and is not the first step in emergency management. Therefore, the focus on bleeding control and appropriate dressing application aligns with the foundation of trauma care principles, where maintaining the patient's hemodynamic stability is paramount.