1. **State the problem:** Expand the expression $2q(7y - 9q - 8)$. 2. **Formula and rules:** Use the distributive property: $a(b + c + d) = ab + ac + ad$. Multiply each term inside the parentheses by $2q$. 3. **Apply distributive property:** $$2q \times 7y = 14qy$$ $$2q \times (-9q) = -18q^2$$ $$2q \times (-8) = -16q$$ 4. **Combine all terms:** $$14qy - 18q^2 - 16q$$ 5. **Final answer:** $$\boxed{14qy - 18q^2 - 16q}$$