Which patient can safely receive only a focused physical examination rather than a rapid trauma assessment?

A focused physical examination is appropriate when the mechanism of injury is low-risk, and there are no signs of significant or life-threatening injuries. In the case of the 20-year-old female who complains of severe pain in her ankle after stepping off a curb, the mechanism is relatively minor and suggests a lower likelihood of serious injury beyond the localized area of concern.

This situation typically would warrant a targeted assessment, allowing healthcare providers to concentrate on the injury to the ankle without needing to perform a full rapid trauma assessment. In contrast, the other scenarios presented involve indications of potentially more severe or systemic injuries, especially given their mechanisms of injury and the patient's conditions. For example, the deformed leg implies a significant injury, neck pain after a collision raises concerns for spinal injuries, and unresponsiveness with minor cuts suggests that there could be underlying issues warranting a thorough assessment. Therefore, the focused examination is appropriate only for the patient with ankle pain, as their condition can likely be managed effectively without the need for an extensive trauma assessment.