sponsibility for definitive treatment, she is responsible for treatment which is necessary to preserve life and function. In some emergency situations, thoracentesis, stabilization of a flail chest, insertion of an endotracheal tube, and starting an intravenous infusion are life-saving measures which an emergency nurse may have to initiate. The nurse must be able to recognize the indications for these procedures and must learn and practice them. The total responsibility that the nurse assumes will depend on hospital policies, local practice, and physician availability. Generally, in dealing with a patient with multiple injuries or several injured patients, the nurse must quickly determine the need for assistance. The cooperation of local authorities should be secured so that they will notify the emergency department when they are bringing seriously injured persons for treatment. If this is done, then the nurse will have some time to obtain extra personnel and set up equipment. As patients are brought into the emergency room, the nurse can assign a person to work with a specific patient in order to eliminate duplication of effort and confusion. The