In a multi-vehicle accident, which victim warrants helicopter transport?

In a multi-vehicle accident, the victim who exhibits cold, clammy skin and a rapid heart rate demonstrates signs of potential shock, which can be life-threatening. These symptoms indicate that the body's perfusion may be compromised, possibly due to significant blood loss or other critical conditions that require immediate medical intervention. The need for rapid transport via helicopter is underscored by the urgency of addressing any severe internal injuries or hemorrhaging, which can deteriorate quickly without timely care.

In contrast, while other conditions may be serious, they do not present the same immediate risk to life that the woman with cold, clammy skin and tachycardia does. For example, the child with a simple femur fracture, though painful, is not typically categorized as a life-threatening injury that would necessitate such urgent transport. The man with severe asthma, while potentially critical, may be stabilized with other interventions before transport, and the man with a severe headache who is conscious may have less immediate risk compared to someone showing signs of shock. Thus, the priority for helicopter transport is correctly attributed to the signs of shock observed in the woman.