A patient admitted to the ICU develops acute exacerbation of chronic heart failure (CHF) with pulmonary edema and respiratory distress. What intervention should the healthcare team prioritize to manage the patient's exacerbation?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In this scenario, the patient is presenting with acute exacerbation of chronic heart failure (CHF) complicated by pulmonary edema and respiratory distress. The priority intervention for managing this exacerbation is to initiate positive pressure ventilation for respiratory support. Positive pressure ventilation, such as non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) or invasive mechanical ventilation, can help improve oxygenation and decrease the work of breathing for the patient. By providing adequate respiratory support, ventilation can reduce the negative effects of pulmonary edema and respiratory distress due to CHF exacerbation. Administering intravenous loop diuretics (Choice A) might be necessary to address fluid overload, but it is not the initial priority as ensuring adequate ventilation is crucial. Emergent pericardiocentesis (Choice C) is not indicated in this scenario as there is no mention of cardiac tamponade. Inotropic medications (Choice D) may be considered in managing acute exacerbation of CHF but