To provide emergency care for a patient with a pencil impaled in his eye, the EMR should ________.

Stabilizing the patient's head with sandbags or large pads is crucial in the scenario of an impaled object, such as a pencil in the eye. This technique is important because it prevents any movement of the object, which could cause further injury to the eye or surrounding structures. When an object is impaled, particularly in delicate areas like the eye, removing the object can lead to severe complications, including significant bleeding or damage to the eye itself.

By stabilizing the head, you are minimizing movement and ensuring that the pen remains securely in place until advanced medical personnel can take over. This also helps to keep the patient calm and reduces the risk of accidental dislodging of the object, which is vital for their safety.

Other options, such as removing the pencil, applying pressure, or flushing the eye, could exacerbate the injury and lead to even more serious consequences. Therefore, head stabilization is the safest and most appropriate action to take in this emergency situation.