Question

You have arrived at the scene of a call for a "man down." As you enter the residence you note that your patient is a male in his mid-60s who is awake but does not seem to acknowledge your presence. He is perspiring profusely, has cyanosis of his ears and lips, and has rapid, shallow respirations. Which of the following should you do first?

A. Check for a radial pulse.
B. Assist ventilations with a bag-valve mask and supplemental oxygen.
C. Listen to his lung sounds.
D. Obtain the patient's medical history.

Answer 1

The first step you should take when encountering a patient with symptoms of respiratory distress is to assist ventilations with a bag-valve mask and supplemental oxygen.

Step-by-step explanation:

The first step you should take in this situation is to B. Assist ventilations with a bag-valve mask and supplemental oxygen. Given the symptoms you described, such as perspiration, cyanosis, and rapid, shallow respirations, it is likely that the patient is experiencing respiratory distress. Assisting ventilations with a bag-valve mask and providing supplemental oxygen can help ensure that the patient is getting enough oxygen to meet their body's needs.