A 3-year-old boy presents with multiple-system trauma after a high-speed motor vehicle collision. What action should you take first?

In a critical situation involving a 3-year-old boy with multiple-system trauma from a high-speed motor vehicle collision, the priority is ensuring adequate airway management, especially given the potential for airway compromise following such an incident. Providing bag-mask ventilation while a colleague stabilizes the spine is crucial.

The first step in trauma care is often focused on airway support, particularly in a pediatric patient who may have a high risk of airway obstruction due to swelling, blood loss, or other injuries. By initiating bag-mask ventilation, the healthcare provider can secure the airway and provide necessary oxygenation to the child, which is vital for maintaining perfusion and preventing further complications.

While assessing vital signs and activating emergency response are important steps in managing trauma, these actions may not provide immediate support to the child's airway and respiration, which are critical determinants of survival in emergencies. Starting CPR is only indicated if there is no pulse or if the patient is unresponsive due to cardiac arrest, which is not stipulated as a finding in this particular scenario.

Thus, the priority in this case is to secure and ensure adequate ventilation support while simultaneously attending to spinal stabilization, as the child may have sustained spinal injuries necessitating careful handling. This approach aligns with the principles of pediatric resuscitation and trauma management