A young woman experienced massive facial trauma after being ejected from her car when it struck a tree. She is semiconscious, has blood draining from her mouth, and has poor respiratory effort. The MOST appropriate initial airway management for this patient involves:
A) vigorously suctioning her oropharynx for no longer than 15 seconds and then inserting a multilumen airway device.
B) alternating suctioning her oropharynx for 15 seconds and assisting her ventilations for 2 minutes until you can definitively secure her airway.
C) suctioning her oropharynx and performing direct laryngoscopy to assess the amount of upper airway damage or swelling that is present.
D) providing positive-pressure ventilatory support with a bag-mask device and making preparations to perform an open cricothyrotomy.
Answer: B) alternating suctioning her oropharynx for 15 seconds and assisting her ventilations for 2 minutes until you can definitively secure her airway.
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Which of the following statements regarding the fire command center in a high-rise is MOST accurate?
A) The location of the fire command center must be approved by the fire department. B) The fire command center is often required to be an enclosed room separated from the remainder of the building by three-hour fire-rated construction. C) The fire command center must have an exterior access. D) All fire command centers must follow the approved, standard layout as identified in the model building codes.
You are at a cookout with friends when one of the adults starts yelling excitedly that her 4 year old appears to have been nibbling on the azalea bush in the front yard. Based on your knowledge of this plant's toxicity, you would say which of the following things to the parent?
a. "You have nothing to worry about. Many people grow azaleas because they know they are safe." b. "The worst that will happen is some nausea and vomiting that will teach your child not to eat azalea leaves again." c. "You need to worry only if you see your child starting to get a rash." d. "Ingested azaleas can be very toxic. You should have your child checked right away."