Question

A 48-year-old male is found unconscious in the garden by his wife. When you arrive at the scene and assess the man, you find that he is unresponsive, has labored breathing, and has hives over his entire trunk. You should:

1) perform a detailed secondary assessment.
2) maintain his airway and assist his ventilations.
3) ask his wife if he has any known allergies.
4) administer oxygen and position him on his side.

Answer 1

The appropriate response to an unconscious, labored-breathing individual with hives is to maintain their airway and assist their ventilations. Administering oxygen and positioning them on their side can also aid in their breathing. It is important to ask about known allergies to help inform treatment.

Step-by-step explanation:

Based on the symptoms described, it is likely that the 48-year-old male is experiencing an anaphylactic reaction, as indicated by the labored breathing and hives. In this situation, the appropriate initial response would be to maintain his airway and assist his ventilations, as this could help to alleviate his breathing difficulties. Administering oxygen and positioning him on his side can also assist with his breathing and ensure that his airway remains clear. Additionally, it would be important to ask his wife if he has any known allergies, as this information can help inform his treatment and potential triggers.