New York State Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Practice Exam

What should you do first when finding an unresponsive patient with labored breathing and hives?

1. Perform a detailed secondary assessment

2. Maintain his airway and assist his ventilations

3. Ask his wife if he has any known allergies

4. Apply the automated external defibrillator (AED)

The correct answer is: Maintain his airway and assist his ventilations

When encountering an unresponsive patient who is exhibiting labored breathing and hives, the priority is to maintain the patient's airway and assist with ventilation. This is crucial because labored breathing indicates that the patient is having difficulty getting enough oxygen, which can lead to hypoxia and potentially life-threatening consequences. In this scenario, the presence of hives suggests a possible allergic reaction, which can cause swelling and further compromise the airway. Therefore, it’s essential to ensure the airway remains open and to assist with ventilation as needed to provide adequate oxygenation. The other options, while they may seem relevant, do not prioritize the immediate needs of the patient. Conducting a detailed secondary assessment or asking about allergies does not address the urgent need for airway management and oxygen delivery. Applying an AED would be appropriate in cases of cardiac arrest but is not relevant here as the patient is described as having labored breathing rather than being unresponsive due to cardiac arrest. Therefore, maintaining the airway and assisting ventilations is the critical first step in this emergency situation.