Question

Before the EMT contacts medical direction for authorization to assist a patient with shortness of breath in using her​ metered-dose inhaler, protocols state that the EMT must first attempt to provide relief by administering oxygen if the pulse oximeter reading is less than​ 94%. You recognize that the administration of oxygen is best described as​ a(n):

A) Standing order
B) Quality improvement
C) On-line medical direction
D) Direct permission

Answer 1

Administering oxygen to a patient with a pulse oximeter reading under 94% is a standing order, which EMTs follow without direct physician guidance to quickly address hypoxemia.

Step-by-step explanation:

When an EMT administers oxygen to a patient with a pulse oximeter reading of less than 94%, prior to contacting medical direction for authorization to use a metered-dose inhaler, this protocol is best described as a standing order. A standing order in the medical field refers to a predefined protocol or procedure that frontline healthcare providers, such as EMTs, are authorized to execute without immediate direct physician contact, usually within specific clinical scenarios to provide rapid care. Administering oxygen in this case is aimed at increasing the patient's blood oxygen saturation, as indicated by the pulse oximeter, an apparatus measuring the amount of oxygen in blood, and is aligned with the protocol for handling patients experiencing shortness of breath and displaying signs of hypoxemia (or low percent saturation of hemoglobin).