Question

You are dispatched to a residence for a 56-year-old male with an altered mental status. Upon arrival at the scene, the patient's wife tells you that he complained of chest pain the day before, but would not allow her to call EMS. The patient is semiconscious; has rapid, shallow respirations; and has a thready pulse. You should:

A. obtain baseline vital signs.
B. begin ventilatory assistance.
C. attach the automated external defibrillator (AED) immediately.
D. apply a nonrebreathing mask.

Answer 1

The appropriate course of action for a patient with altered mental status, rapid, shallow respirations, and a thready pulse is to begin ventilatory assistance.

Step-by-step explanation:

In this scenario, the patient is experiencing an altered mental status along with rapid, shallow respirations and a thready pulse. These signs indicate a potentially life-threatening condition, such as cardiac or respiratory failure. Therefore, the appropriate course of action would be to begin ventilatory assistance, as the patient is not breathing adequately on their own.