What should you do immediately for a drowning victim who is responsive only to painful stimuli and has a water-filled airway?

In the scenario of a drowning victim who is responsive only to painful stimuli and has a water-filled airway, the immediate priority is to clear the airway to restore effective breathing. When a patient has water obstructing their airway, suctioning is the correct first step. This action helps to remove any water and allows for a better assessment of the airway and respiration status.

Once the airway is clear, resuscitative measures like CPR can be initiated if the patient remains unresponsive. Oxygen administration and transportation can follow once the immediate concern of airway obstruction has been addressed. Clearing the airway is essential to ensure that the victim has the best chance of getting oxygenated air and is a critical step in managing drowning cases effectively.