A 44-year-old electrician has been shocked and responds to verbal stimuli with garbled speech. His airway is open and he is breathing poorly at a rate of 8 times per minute. His pulse is slow and irregular. What action would the EMT perform next?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The patient is experiencing respiratory distress and needs immediate ventilation with a bag-valve mask. The slow and irregular pulse may indicate a cardiac issue, but focusing on providing oxygenation and ventilation is the priority before attaching the AED or obtaining vital signs. Inserting an oral airway and applying oxygen with a nonrebreather mask may not be effective if the patient is not breathing adequately on his own.

A 44-Year-Old Electrician Has Been Shocked and Responds to Verbal