Question

Your patient is a 55-year-old man with a history of chronic bronchitis. You have been called to his home today because of an increase in his level of respiratory distress. The patient is on 2 liters per minute of oxygen by nasal cannula at home. Your assessment reveals difficulty speaking due to shortness of breath, leaning forward to breathe, a productive cough, and a respiratory rate of 32 per minute. Which of the following is true concerning the best course of action for this patient?

A) Increase the oxygen flow rate to improve the patient's oxygenation.

B) Administer a bronchodilator to relieve bronchoconstriction.

C) Apply a nonrebreather mask to deliver high-flow oxygen.

D) Encourage the patient to lie down to ease breathing.

Answer 1

The best course of action for the patient in question is to administer a bronchodilator to relieve bronchoconstriction, as this would directly address the narrowing of the airways that is likely causing the increased respiratory distress.

Step-by-step explanation:

The best course of action for a 55-year-old man with a history of chronic bronchitis who is experiencing increased respiratory distress would likely be B) Administer a bronchodilator to relieve bronchoconstriction. The patient's symptoms, such as difficulty speaking due to shortness of breath, suggest an exacerbation of his chronic bronchitis, potentially leading to a further narrowed airway. A bronchodilator would help to relax the muscles around the airways, making it easier for the patient to breathe. Increasing the oxygen flow without addressing the bronchoconstriction (option A and C) may not sufficiently improve his clinical situation. Having the patient lie down (option D) may actually worsen his breathing effort, as a forward-leaning position can aid in breathing when experiencing respiratory difficulty.