Which action is appropriate when a patient shows signs of severe trauma but ground transport would be lengthy?

When a patient exhibits signs of severe trauma and ground transport would be lengthy, the appropriate action is to prepare for immediate flight. This decision is driven by the critical need to expedite the transfer of a severely injured patient to a facility capable of providing the necessary medical care. Delaying transport can lead to a deterioration of the patient's condition, especially in cases of traumatic injuries where every minute matters.

Flight transport can significantly reduce travel time to a trauma center, allowing for quicker access to advanced medical interventions. This is particularly important in managing life-threatening injuries where timely care can drastically improve outcomes.

The other options are not suitable in this scenario. Administering pain medication and waiting would fail to address the urgency of transporting the patient to higher-level care, which could lead to preventable complications. Contacting other medical personnel for assistance might be useful in some contexts but does not address the immediate need for rapid transport. Lastly, taking no action would be inappropriate and dangerous, as it would jeopardize the patient's chances for recovery by postponing necessary treatment.