A patient with a gunshot wound to the groin shows confusion and weak peripheral pulses. What is the appropriate fluid resuscitation?

In this scenario, the patient presents with a gunshot wound to the groin, which raises significant concerns about potential hemorrhage and shock. The combination of confusion and weak peripheral pulses indicates that the patient is likely experiencing compromised perfusion, often associated with a significant volume deficit due to bleeding.

The appropriate fluid resuscitation choice is to administer intravenous fluid to maintain peripheral pulses. This approach is grounded in the need to restore adequate perfusion to vital organs and systems while also providing enough volume to support blood pressure. By focusing on maintaining peripheral pulses, the medical team aims to ensure that the patient is receiving enough fluid to alleviate potential shock without overloading the cardiovascular system, which could exacerbate any existing injuries or conditions.

Other options either do not specifically address the immediate needs of the patient or might lead to inappropriate management. For instance, administering fluid at a "keep open" rate may not deliver the necessary volume to effectively manage shock. A "wide open" rate could risk fluid overload or other complications if the patient is already in a critical state. Lastly, establishing intravenous access alone without administering fluid would neglect the urgent need for volume restoration in a trauma patient exhibiting signs of shock.

Therefore, administering intravenous fluid to maintain peripheral pulses is the most appropriate