Question

A 52-year-old male is complaining of breathing difficulty and left arm pain radiating to the right jaw. Vital signs are BP < 90/60 P = 120, R = 24. The patient should be administered

a) Low concentration oxygen and should be placed lying down
b) High concentration oxygen and should be positioned with legs raised
c) High concentration oxygen and should be placed in a position of comfort for ease of breathing
d) Low concentration oxygen and should be placed in a position of comfort for ease of breathing

Answer 1

For a 52-year-old male with critical vital signs and symptoms that suggest a cardiopulmonary emergency, the appropriate action is to administer high concentration oxygen and position the patient for optimal comfort to aid breathing.

Step-by-step explanation:

The patient, a 52-year-old male, is experiencing symptoms such as difficulty breathing and left arm pain that radiates to the right jaw. The vital signs suggest the patient is in a critical condition, with a blood pressure of <90/60, pulse of 120, and respirations at 24, which may indicate a cardiopulmonary issue such as a heart attack. In such a medical emergency, it is vital to administer high concentration oxygen and place the patient in a position that maximizes comfort and ease of breathing, without specific manipulation of leg position. In this case, the correct answer would be option c) High concentration oxygen and should be placed in a position of comfort for ease of breathing.