NREMT Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Cognitive ExamMedical EmergenciesEasy
A 62-year-old male is found unresponsive by his family. His respirations are slow and shallow at 8 breaths per minute, and his pulse is weak and thready at 50 bpm. His skin is cool and clammy. Family states he has a history of diabetes and takes insulin. What is the MOST appropriate initial intervention?
- AAdminister high-flow oxygen via non-rebreather mask and assist ventilations if necessary.
- BAdminister oral glucose.
- CCheck his blood glucose level immediately.
- DPrepare for immediate transport to the nearest hospital.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Administer high-flow oxygen via non-rebreather mask and assist ventilations if necessary.
The patient is unresponsive with slow, shallow respirations, indicating respiratory compromise. The priority is to address airway and breathing, which takes precedence over checking blood glucose or administering oral glucose in an unresponsive patient with respiratory depression.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Oral glucose is contraindicated in an unresponsive patient due to aspiration risk. Also, respiratory compromise is a higher priority.
- C. While important, checking blood glucose is secondary to ensuring adequate breathing and oxygenation in an unresponsive patient with respiratory compromise.
- D. While transport is necessary, immediate life-saving interventions like airway management and oxygenation come first.
Unresponsive Patient Respiratory Compromise
When an unresponsive patient exhibits slow or shallow breathing, the immediate priority is to ensure adequate ventilation and oxygenation to prevent hypoxia.
- Airway and breathing are always the top priorities in an unresponsive patient.
- Slow/shallow respirations indicate respiratory compromise.
- Oral glucose is contraindicated in unresponsive patients due to aspiration risk.
Memory trick: Airway Before Anything Else!