27th May 2025

A 58-year-old builder has attended ED with chest pain at rest.

A 58-year-old builder has attended ED with chest pain at rest. He is assessed and diagnosed with unstable angina by the Emergency Team, kept in a monitored bed and referred to the medical team. When being clerked by the medical team several hours later, he is found to be asleep and snoring. While asleep, his saturations repeatedly drop down to 80% on air before he gasps and then breathes more evenly. He is drowsy on assessment and complains of a headache. When examining him, you note he is obese, has tar-stained fingers and a clear chest. 

What would be the first-line intervention to reduce his risk of developing complications from his underlying medical condition? 

Select the SINGLE most appropriate option from the list below. Select ONE option only.