Your adult respiratory insufficiency patient's respirations are shallow and irregular at six times per minute. His SpO2 is 76 mm Hg, and you suspect carbon dioxide retention due to the decreased respiratory effort. Which of the following should you suspect?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Respiratory acidosis. In this scenario, the patient's shallow and irregular respirations lead to inadequate ventilation, causing CO2 retention. This results in an increase in blood CO2 levels, leading to respiratory acidosis. The low SpO2 suggests poor oxygenation but is not directly related to the acid-base imbalance. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because the symptoms described are more indicative of respiratory acidosis due to hypoventilation.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: "Air splints." Air splints are not typically used for immobilization of a motorcyclist with potential spinal injuries. The rationale is that air splints are primarily used for stabilizing extremity fractures, not for spinal immobilization. In this scenario, the motorcyclist is unconscious with a low GCS score, indicating a potential spinal injury. Choices B, C, and D are used for immobilization of a trauma patient with suspected spinal injuries. Bolstering devices help maintain spinal alignment, a long spine board provides full-body immobilization, and a scoop-style stretcher allows for easy transfer without movement.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct immediate management for a profusely bleeding wound like this is to apply direct pressure on the wound (Choice B). This helps control the bleeding by compressing the blood vessels and promoting clot formation. Applying a tourniquet (Choice A) should be avoided in this situation as it is typically used as a last resort for uncontrollable bleeding. Packing the wound with gauze (Choice C) can worsen the bleeding by disrupting clots and should be avoided. Direct pressure on the femoral artery at the groin (Choice D) is not recommended as the wound is in the thigh, and applying pressure on the artery directly can be difficult and may not effectively control the bleeding.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because the trachea in infants is relatively short, increasing the risk of bronchial intubation. The distance from the lips to the larynx (choice B) may affect tube placement but not specifically bronchial intubation. The use of tubes without cuffs (choice C) may contribute to tube slippage but not necessarily bronchial intubation. While the mainstem bronchi being less angulated (choice D) could facilitate intubation, it does not directly explain the likelihood of bronchial intubation in infants.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: "Perform needle cricothyroidotomy with jet insufflation." In this scenario, the infant is in respiratory distress and intubation has been unsuccessful. Needle cricothyroidotomy is the most appropriate procedure as it is a rapid and effective method to secure an airway in emergency situations. It involves creating a temporary airway using a needle inserted into the cricothyroid membrane. Jet insufflation can then provide oxygen to the patient. Choice B is incorrect as administering heliox and racemic epinephrine does not address the immediate need to secure the airway. Choice C, performing nasotracheal intubation, may not be feasible in this emergency situation. Choice D, performing surgical cricothyroidotomy, is a more invasive procedure compared to needle cricothyroidotomy and may not be as quickly performed in this critical situation.