For a 60-year-old woman in severe respiratory distress, what is the most appropriate treatment?

In the context of severe respiratory distress, the primary goal is to provide adequate ventilation and support to the patient. The most appropriate treatment, which is ventilation with a bag-mask device, is critical because it allows for effective delivery of positive pressure ventilation to a patient who may not be able to breathe adequately on their own. This method can help inflate the lungs, improve oxygenation, and alleviate the distress caused by hypoventilation or inadequate gas exchange.

While other options may provide some level of support, they do not address the immediate need for ventilation as effectively. For instance, the insertion of a nasopharyngeal airway can help maintain an open airway but does not provide ventilatory support if the patient is not breathing effectively.

Similarly, oxygen via nasal cannula at low flow rates might not be sufficient for someone in severe distress who has significantly impaired breathing, as it primarily delivers supplemental oxygen rather than assisting with the mechanical aspect of ventilation. The option to provide oxygen via a nonrebreathing mask at 15 L/min is beneficial for enhancing oxygen saturation but again does not address the issue of effective ventilation for someone who may not be initiating breaths properly.

Thus, ventilation with a bag-mask device is the most comprehensive approach to simultaneously address airway