Your patient is a 16-year-old male who attempted suicide. He is unconscious and apneic, lying supine on a garage floor. The family states that they found the patient unconscious in the front seat of a car that was running in an enclosed garage. HR = 70, BP = 100/60, RR = 0. In addition to an IV of normal saline, which of the following is the most appropriate action?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The patient is unconscious and apneic, indicating respiratory failure. Additionally, the patient was found in an enclosed garage with a running car, suggesting carbon monoxide poisoning as a possibility. Therefore, the most appropriate action is to remove the patient from the garage and initiate BVM ventilations with 100 percent oxygen. Intubation is then necessary to secure the airway and provide adequate ventilation during transport. Transport should be to a hospital with a hyperbaric chamber to manage potential carbon monoxide poisoning.

Your Patient Is a 16-Year-Old Male Who Attempted Suicide