Question

A respiratory therapist is called to the recovery room to find a 16-year-old male patient who was recently extubated experiencing anxiety and difficulty breathing. Breath sounds are clear over the chest, with a high-pitched noise heard over the upper airway. The respiratory therapist should recommend?

1) heated aerosol
2) cool mist aerosol
3) aerosolized racemic epinephrine
4) Decadron injection

Answer 1

The respiratory therapist should recommend aerosolized racemic epinephrine for the patient with anxiety, difficulty breathing, and a high-pitched noise in the upper airway post-extubation, as it can provide immediate relief by reducing airway swelling. The correct option is 3.

Step-by-step explanation:

A respiratory therapist is often called upon to evaluate and treat patients who are experiencing breathing difficulties. In the case of a 16-year-old male patient who is experiencing anxiety and difficulty breathing after extubation, with clear breath sounds over the chest but a high-pitched noise heard over the upper airway, the symptoms suggest the possibility of airway obstruction or laryngeal edema.

The treatment that should be recommended by the respiratory therapist is aerosolized racemic epinephrine. This medication can help to reduce airway swelling and ease breathing. Cool mist or heated aerosol might provide some relief but are not typically used for acute upper airway obstruction.

A Decadron injection, which is a corticosteroid, can also help reduce inflammation but may not offer the immediate relief that is often needed in such acute settings.