While triaging, if a patient is found to be breathing at 18 times per minute and has a radial pulse, what is the next step?

In the context of triaging, assessing a patient's ability to follow simple commands is a crucial step in determining their mental status and overall priority for treatment. When a patient is breathing at a rate of 18 breaths per minute and has a radial pulse, these signs indicate that they are likely stable in terms of airway and circulation.

Evaluating whether the patient can follow simple commands provides valuable insight into their neurological status and consciousness level. This assessment helps to further categorize the patient's triage level and ensures that those in critical need of immediate care are prioritized.

While monitoring breathing and taking vital signs are important tasks in patient assessment, the most pressing concern is to evaluate the patient's responsiveness and ability to interact, which influences triage decisions regarding urgency and the need for further medical intervention. Hence, checking if the patient can follow commands is the appropriate next step in this situation.