Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Intermediate Practice Exam

What should you do for a 32-year-old female who is unresponsive after a scorpion sting and is experiencing severely labored respirations with significant resistance during ventilations?

1. Administer oxygen via nasal cannula

2. Insert an advanced airway device to protect her airway

3. Provide supplemental oxygen using a non-rebreather mask

4. Continue assisting ventilations with the bag-mask device

The correct answer is: Insert an advanced airway device to protect her airway

In the case of an unresponsive patient experiencing severely labored respirations and significant resistance during ventilations, inserting an advanced airway device to protect her airway is the most appropriate action. This approach ensures that the airway remains patent and allows for more effective management of ventilation, especially because the patient is likely unable to maintain adequate respiratory function on her own due to the effects of the scorpion sting. Advanced airway management is crucial in situations where a patient is unresponsive and unable to adequately ventilate themselves. This step helps to prevent potential complications, such as hypoxia, which can rapidly lead to further deterioration. By securing the airway, you provide a way to deliver positive pressure ventilation more effectively, overcoming any resistance that may be present. While providing supplemental oxygen and assisting ventilations are important in many scenarios, they may not be sufficient if the airway is compromised or if the patient cannot protect their own airway due to altered mental status. Therefore, the priority in this situation is to establish a secure advanced airway.