In case of suspected respiratory failure, which method is typically used to support breathing?

Ventilation with a bag-valve-mask is a standard method utilized to support breathing in cases of suspected respiratory failure. This technique allows for the manual ventilation of a patient who is unable to breathe adequately on their own, ensuring that they receive the necessary oxygenation and ventilation. The bag-valve-mask device creates a seal over the patient's mouth and nose or tracheostomy and delivers positive pressure breathing, which helps inflate the lungs and ensure gas exchange occurs effectively.

This method is critical in emergency situations where immediate respiratory support is required, such as in cases of obstructed airways, severe asthma attacks, or other situations leading to respiratory distress.

While other options like the use of an oropharyngeal airway can assist in maintaining an open airway, they do not actively ventilate the patient. The administration of intravenous fluids, while vital in certain situations, does not address the respiratory failure directly. Similarly, supplemental oxygen can help in improving oxygen saturation but does not provide the necessary ventilation assistance that a bag-valve-mask offers when a patient is not breathing adequately.