You have been called to a home for an 18-year-old male patie…

You have been called to a home for an 18-year-old male patient, who informs you that he experienced a sudden onset of shortness of breath and back pain while watching television. He has a history of spontaneous pneumothorax, and the current symptoms he is experiencing are identical to those he felt with a previous pneumothorax. Assessment reveals the patient to be slightly dyspneic with breath sounds clear and intact bilaterally. During transport, what is most critical to continually monitor on this patient?

You have applied the AED’s electrodes to an obese male patie…

You have applied the AED’s electrodes to an obese male patient in cardiac arrest. When you press the analyze button, the AED gives you a “check electrode” message. In looking at the patient, which of these factors would most likely be responsible for this message?