As the first responder after a tornado, which victim should the nurse attend to first?

The appropriate choice is to prioritize the child who is complaining about a severely bleeding leg. In triage, the urgency of treatment is typically guided by the immediacy of life-threatening conditions. Heavy bleeding indicates a risk of significant blood loss, which can lead to shock and possibly death if not addressed quickly. The child's statement expresses a critical concern about rapid deterioration due to the severity of the bleeding, which necessitates immediate medical intervention.

In contrast, while the other situations involve emotional distress and varying degrees of medical concern, they are not as time-sensitive when assessed within the context of life-threatening conditions. The pregnant woman’s concern about her baby not moving is indeed serious, but unless there is visual evidence of distress or she shows other signs of complications, the immediate life threat from the bleeding child takes precedence. The child’s intense fear and desire for their mother reflects emotional trauma rather than an immediate physical need for care. Similarly, the older victim's grief over her deceased husband indicates a profound emotional crisis, but this does not require urgent medical intervention like the child with the bleeding leg does.

Addressing the child with the bleeding first aligns with the principles of triage, ensuring that those with the most immediate and severe medical needs receive care without delay.