Pulmonary haemorrhage and haemoptysis — structured oral (viva)

Branch 1 — The emergency and first move

Examiner: "He is bleeding briskly from the lungs. What is your very first priority and why?" Candidate: My first priority is the airway and breathing, not stopping the source. In massive haemoptysis the immediate danger is asphyxiation from blood flooding the airway rather than exsanguination, so I would give high-flow oxygen, clear and protect the airway, and prepare to intubate while calling for senior and intensive-care help. Only once ventilation is secure would I move to locating and controlling the bleed. ^[1]