Question

A 45-year-old woman presents to the emergency department with complaints of shortness of breath, anxiety, dizziness, and numbness and tingling around her mouth. Her respirations are deep, at a rate of 28 breaths/min. Her lungs are clear with good aeration throughout. Oxygen saturation is 100

1) Asthma
2) Panic attack
3) Hyperventilation syndrome
4) Carbon monoxide poisoning

Answer 1

Based on the symptoms described, the woman is likely experiencing hyperventilation syndrome, potentially related to a panic attack, rather than asthma, carbon monoxide poisoning, or pneumonia. So the correct answer is Option 3.

Step-by-step explanation:

The presentation of the 45-year-old woman in the emergency department with symptoms of shortness of breath, anxiety, dizziness, and tingling around the mouth suggests a few potential diagnoses. The clear lungs and good aeration, a high respiration rate, and numbness and tingling around her mouth are indicative of hyperventilation syndrome, which may be associated with panic attacks. This can lead to hypoxemia and respiratory alkalosis.

Considering asthma, while wheezing is a common asthma symptom, the patient's clear lungs on examination make this less likely. Carbon monoxide poisoning should be considered with hypoxemia, but the patient's symptoms aren't exactly fitting, especially with 100% oxygen saturation. Lastly, the symptoms described don't align with the signs of pneumonia, despite hypoxemia, such as the absence of crackling sounds often associated with this condition. Sputum production and chest shadows on radiographs are not mentioned in the patient's case presented here.

For a definitive diagnosis, further diagnostic tests would be required, but based on the information given, hyperventilation syndrome related to a panic attack appears most likely.