How can a medic assess for the presence of internal bleeding in TCCC?

Monitoring vital signs, checking for abdominal rigidity, and noting any signs of shock are essential components in assessing for the presence of internal bleeding in a tactical environment. Vital signs such as heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate can indicate hemodynamic instability, often associated with significant internal bleeding. For instance, tachycardia and hypotension can suggest that the casualty is losing blood volume.

Abdominal rigidity, also known as "board-like" abdomen, can indicate peritoneal irritation due to blood accumulation within the abdominal cavity. Observing signs of shock, such as altered mental status or cold, clammy skin, can also point towards internal bleeding as the body diverts blood from the peripheries to vital organs in response to significant blood loss. Collectively, these assessment techniques provide critical information on the casualty's condition that can guide urgent medical interventions.

The other options, while they may have some relevance, do not provide as comprehensive or immediate a method for evaluating internal bleeding as monitoring vital signs and physical examination findings.