Final answer:
An older patient with tachycardia, tachypnea, and hot, flushed skin likely has hyperthyroidism, characterized by an overactive thyroid gland leading to symptoms such as increased metabolic rate and body heat.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the older patient with tachycardia, tachypnea, and hot, flushed skin, the EMT-B should suspect hyperthyroidism. This condition involves an elevated level of thyroid hormone in the blood, leading to symptoms such as increased metabolic rate, excess body heat, sweating, weight loss, and increased heart rate. Given the presentation of hot, flushed skin alongside tachycardia and tachypnea, these signs are indicative of an overactive thyroid, which is working more than it should, thus increasing the body's metabolism and exhibiting the noted symptoms.
While tachycardia is generally related to a heart rate over 100 beats per minute and can occur in various situations, such as pregnancy or extreme stress, it is not normal in a resting patient. It can be associated with medical conditions like fever, anemia, hypoxia, and hyperthyroidism. When assessing a patient, healthcare professionals look for associated symptoms to determine the cause of tachycardia, which in this case points towards hyperthyroidism.
Learn more about hyperthyroidism