You Are at the Scene of a Multiple-Casualty Incident

You are at the scene of a multiple-casualty incident. Which patient is the best candidate for immediate endotracheal intubation?

A) 31-year-old unresponsive patient who is apneic with an oral airway in place
B) 22-year-old female who will not tolerate an oral airway but is vomiting and requires continual suctioning
C) 46-year-old male who responds to painful stimuli, is breathing at 6 times a minute, and will not tolerate an oral airway
D) 52-year-old alert and oriented patient with severe respiratory distress and stridorous respirations