Final answer:
The football player with an inadequate respiratory rate and shallow breathing requires manual ventilation with supplemental oxygen, not just oxygen supplementation alone. CPR is not indicated as the player has a pulse, but immediate medical attention is essential.
Step-by-step explanation:
Airway Management in Emergency Situations
The scenario described indicates that the football player has a significantly reduced respiratory rate with very shallow breathing. The appropriate airway management should involve performing manual ventilation with supplemental oxygen. This is because a respiratory rate of 4 breaths per minute is well below the normal rate of 12-15 breaths per minute for a resting person, and shallow breathing signifies inadequate ventilation. In such a critical situation, providing efficient respiratory support is crucial to prevent brain damage due to hypoxia.
Administering supplemental oxygen with a nasal cannula at 2 LPM or a non-rebreather mask with oxygen flow at 10 LPM would not be adequate for a patient who is not breathing effectively. A nasal airway can be placed to secure the airway if needed. If the patient were conscious and choking, techniques like the Heimlich maneuver may be considered. However, since the student is unconscious with inadequate breathing, manual ventilation, such as with a bag-valve-mask (BVM) attached to a supplemental oxygen supply, is necessary to maintain proper oxygenation and carbon dioxide removal from the body.
Important to note is that CPR is not indicated in this scenario as the patient has a pulse. Immediate attention should be given to support the patient's breathing. After stabilizing the patient with manual ventilation, immediate transport to a medical facility is necessary.