A 56-year-old man is found with labored and shallow breathing. What should be your first intervention?

For a patient exhibiting labored and shallow breathing, the most immediate priority is to secure the airway and ensure adequate ventilation. Inserting a nasopharyngeal airway can provide a clear passageway for air to enter the lungs, especially in a patient who may have compromised respiratory function. This intervention is crucial because the patient may not have sufficient muscular control to maintain their airway, and the nasopharyngeal airway can help open the airway without causing excessive stimulation, which might occur with other methods.

Additionally, assisting with ventilations can be pivotal in ensuring that the patient receives adequate oxygenation. By inserting the nasopharyngeal airway, it allows for better bag-mask ventilation, facilitating the delivery of breaths to the patient more effectively than if the airway was obstructed or poorly aligned.

While other choices may involve oxygenation or suctioning, addressing airway patency is the most critical step in managing the situation effectively, particularly when the patient's breathing is already inadequate.