A 57-year-old male with asthma coughs up bloody sputum after a flight. What is your primary concern?

In this scenario, the primary concern is to administer oxygen. The patient is demonstrating a potentially serious complication, as the coughing up of bloody sputum could indicate a worsening of his asthma condition or an underlying issue such as a pulmonary embolism or other respiratory pathology, particularly after physical exertion such as flying.

Administering oxygen helps to ensure that the patient maintains adequate oxygen saturation, which is crucial in any respiratory distress situation. Asthmatic patients may already have compromised airways, and the presence of bloody sputum can indicate that their airway resistance is further endangered. By providing supplemental oxygen, you effectively support this patient's respiratory function, making it a priority.

Assisting ventilation or suctioning the airway might be necessary if the patient demonstrates significant respiratory distress or an inability to maintain their airway, but without immediate oxygenation, these actions may not adequately address the hypoxia that can result from the bloody sputum. Similarly, while assisting with an inhaler may be beneficial, if the primary issue is reduced oxygenation, that must be addressed first to prevent further complications.