Question

Of the patients listed which would you consider to be most unstable?

1) An unconscious 29-year-old female who has very shallow breathing
2) An alert 54-year-old male who has some chest tightness for the past hour
3) A 45-year-old female who thinks she is having an exercise-induced asthma attack but has clear breath sounds
4) A 62-year-old male who says he has weakness in his right leg that comes and goes

Answer 1

The most unstable patient among the listed options is the unconscious 29-year-old female with very shallow breathing.

Step-by-step explanation:

Based on the given information, the patient who would be considered most unstable is the unconscious 29-year-old female with very shallow breathing. Shallow breathing can indicate inadequate ventilation and poor oxygenation, which can lead to respiratory failure if not addressed effectively. Since the patient is unconscious, she cannot communicate her symptoms or cooperate with treatment, making her condition more critical and requiring immediate medical attention.