A 42-year-old male was involved in a fight and was stabbed in the right lateral chest. The knife is still impaled, and he is complaining of shortness of breath. When he speaks he gurgles and blood drains from his mouth. His respirations are labored and his radial pulse is weak. Which one of the following should you do first?

A) Suction the blood from the airway.
B) Provide positive pressure ventilation.
C) Stabilize the knife with bulky dressings.
D) Remove the knife and seal the injury with a dressing.

A