Practice Quiz

NREMT EMR First Responder

Category - Special Patient Populations

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You are called to the home of an 82-year-old male with a history of COPD. He is on home oxygen, but developed a significant increase in shortness of breath this evening. He is alert and anxious. His heart rate is 130, respiratory rate is 38, blood pressure is 130/100, and oxygen saturation is 88% with home oxygen. Which of the following treatment is appropriate for this patient?
  1. Apply a nasal cannula at 4 lpm oxygen as you do not want to provide excess oxygen to a long-standing COPD patient as they may stop breathing
  2. Lay the patient down and begin positive pressure ventilation with a facemask or bag valve mask
  3. Do nothing, as he is already on home oxygen
  4. Provide high flow oxygen via a non-rebreather
Explanation
Answer: D - This patient is showing signs of hypoxia and needs to be given more oxygen. It is no longer recommended that a responder withhold oxygen from someone due to the fear of eliminating their respiratory drive. While this patient may need positive pressure ventilation in the future, he would likely not tolerate being put on the floor or having assisted ventilations and could cause him to deteriorate.
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