A 49-year-old male presents with an acute onset of crushing chest pain and diaphoresis. You should:

In an emergency situation involving a patient with acute onset of crushing chest pain and diaphoresis, assessing the adequacy of respirations is crucial. This step allows the responder to determine whether the patient is experiencing respiratory distress or any compromise that may accompany their cardiovascular condition.

Understanding the patient's breathing patterns is vital, as it can provide essential clues about the severity of the situation and guide subsequent interventions. If the patient shows signs of inadequate respirations, immediate airway management and supplemental oxygen may be necessary to ensure sufficient oxygen delivery to vital organs.

While administering aspirin and nitroglycerin can be important in managing chest pain, they are typically indicated only after ensuring that the patient's airway and breathing are stable. Additionally, obtaining vital signs and a SAMPLE history, while important for a thorough assessment, comes after ensuring that the patient's immediate needs for adequate respirations are addressed. Thus, the focus on assessing respirations first aligns with standard protocols for prioritizing patient care in emergency situations.