A 20-year-old male is stabbed in the chest and shows signs of shock. What is the immediate management step?

In the scenario presented, where a 20-year-old male has been stabbed in the chest and exhibits signs of shock, the immediate management step should focus on quickly assessing and addressing any potential life-threatening injuries, particularly those that may be causing hemorrhage or tension pneumothorax.

Performing a FAST (Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma) exam is crucial in this context because it allows for rapid identification of free fluid (often blood) in the abdominal cavity or around the heart in the pericardial sac, as well as assessing for pneumothorax. This non-invasive ultrasound technique is particularly valuable in trauma situations as it can be performed quickly at the bedside, aiding in triage and management decisions.

While options such as a CT scan or a 12-lead ECG might provide additional information, they are not suitable as first-line interventions in an acute trauma case with signs of shock. A CT scan would delay management due to the time required and may not be appropriate in the presence of stable vital signs or with suspected significant injuries requiring immediate intervention. Similarly, a 12-lead ECG is not immediately relevant for a patient with traumatic chest injury unless there's a specific indication of cardiac injury or arrhythmia.

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