A 19-year-old male experiences shortness of breath and pleuritic chest pain while jogging. What should you do next?

Administering oxygen and transporting the patient to the hospital is the appropriate next step in this situation because the symptoms presented—shortness of breath and pleuritic chest pain—suggest a potential significant underlying issue such as a pulmonary embolism, pneumothorax, or other respiratory or cardiac condition. Providing supplemental oxygen can help improve the patient's oxygen saturation levels, which is critical given the shortness of breath.

Transporting the patient to the hospital ensures that he receives further evaluation and treatment by medical professionals who can perform the necessary diagnostics and interventions for his condition. This approach prioritizes stabilization and rapid care in a controlled environment, which is crucial in emergency situations.

In addition, the other options may not appropriately address the immediate needs of the patient. Performing a rapid head-to-toe exam, while important for assessing overall injuries or conditions in a trauma patient, does not directly address the critical nature of his respiratory symptoms. Taping a dressing for a potential chest injury without confirming the presence of something like a pneumothorax could lead to further complications. Lastly, recognizing the need for needle decompression is more fitting for a tension pneumothorax, which presents with specific clinical signs; without such clear indicators, immediate oxygen supplementation and hospital transport are