Question

For a trauma victim with a respiratory rate of 40/min, shallow and irregular, who is pale and has a history of emphysema, the MOST APPROPRIATE treatment would be to:

a) Use a bag-valve-mask with supplemental oxygen
b) Administer low-concentration oxygen because of the emphysema history
c) Administer supplemental oxygen with a high-concentration mask
d) Transport the patient sitting up to ease the patients dyspnea

Answer 1

The most appropriate treatment for a trauma victim with shallow and irregular breathing and a history of emphysema is administering supplemental oxygen with a high-concentration mask.

Step-by-step explanation:

The MOST APPROPRIATE treatment for a trauma victim with a respiratory rate of 40/min, shallow and irregular, who is pale and has a history of emphysema would be to administer supplemental oxygen with a high-concentration mask.

Given the trauma victim's symptoms of shallow and irregular breathing, a high-concentration mask would provide the necessary oxygen support. Administering low-concentration oxygen would not be sufficient to meet the patient's oxygen needs, and using a bag-valve-mask may not effectively address the underlying respiratory issues.

Transporting the patient sitting up may provide some relief for dyspnea, but it does not directly address the respiratory rate and oxygenation concerns.