A patient has been pulled from a house fire. Assessment reveals him to be lethargic with stridorous respirations and a rapid but strong radial pulse. Firefighters are dousing his body with water to cool him. What action would the EMT perform immediately?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The patient is exhibiting signs of upper airway inflammation or edema, which can lead to airway compromise. Positive pressure ventilation with a bag-valve mask will help maintain adequate oxygenation and ventilation until the patient can be transported to a hospital for further care. Administering oxygen and obtaining vitals can be done while providing positive pressure ventilation, but providing oxygen alone may not be sufficient if the patient's airway is compromised. Determining the type of burn and critical areas of the body can also be done during transport to the hospital.

A Patient Has Been Pulled from a House Fire