When auscultating the posterior chest, you should listen:

You have been called to an industrial warehouse for a young adult male who was exposed to an unknown chemical gas. The patient was immediately removed from the environment and presents to you with a patent airway, burning to the throat with inspiration, and complaint of shortness of breath. His vital signs are: pulse 120, respirations 28, blood pressure 164/60, and SpO2 of 90%. In addition, you note bilateral wheezing to the lungs. What should be your first action in caring for this patient?

A) Apply in-line manual spinal stabilization. B) Administer high-concentration oxygen. C) Identify the chemical to which he was exposed. D) Administer a saline mist through a small-volume nebulizer.

You are treating an elderly male patient in the back of your ambulance. En route, the patient becomes unresponsive. Upon arrival, the ED nurse asks you several questions about his condition. What should you do?

A) You should not disclose the information because HIPAA laws only allow you to provide the information to the emergency department physician. B) You should disclose the information, as it is not protected by law. C) You should not disclose the information to the nurse because it is protected confidential information and the patient did not sign a release authorizing you to discuss his condition. D) You should answer her questions because you may legally share the patient's medical condition with other pertinent health care providers.