In assessing a patient with a pervious brain injury, what is the first step?

In assessing a patient with a previous brain injury, gathering a comprehensive history is crucial, making communication with the family an important first step. The family can provide valuable insights into the patient’s medical history, including the details of the brain injury, any previous treatments or surgeries, current medications, and symptoms the patient may be experiencing. This information is essential for creating an effective treatment plan and understanding the patient's baseline neurological status.

While conducting a physical examination and administering diagnostic tests, such as a CT scan, are important in the overall assessment, they typically follow the initial gathering of history. Starting intravenous fluids may be necessary later in the treatment process, depending on the patient's condition, but establishing a context through history first lays the groundwork for all subsequent assessments and interventions.