You have just arrived on the scene of a very serious motor vehicle collision. Emergency Medical Responders (EMRs) have rapidly extricated an unresponsive female from the driver's seat. The EMRs report that she was unrestrained and struck the steering wheel with her chest and abdomen. As you start the primary assessment, you note that she has snoring respirations and is breathing shallowly at a rate of 24 breaths per minute. Which one of the following should you do next?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The patient is exhibiting signs of airway obstruction, specifically snoring respirations, which require intervention. Performing a jaw-thrust maneuver will help to open the airway and improve respiratory effort. Obtaining vital signs and immobilizing the patient to a backboard may be important interventions, but they are secondary to ensuring the patient's airway is open and she is getting adequate oxygenation. Starting positive pressure ventilation is also a potential intervention, but the jaw-thrust maneuver should be attempted before moving on to this more invasive intervention.

You Have Just Arrived on the Scene of a Very