Question

A 40-year-old female has difficulty breathing. You determine she has an open airway and an altered mental status. Her respirations are 8 and shallow. The MOST important step for the EMS provider to take is to__________.

1) Ask family members of the patient if there's a history of COPD
2) Assist the patient's respiratory efforts with high concentration oxygen using a BVM
3) Watch the patient carefully and obtain vital signs
4) Assess the use of accessory muscles while breathing

Answer 1

The most important step for an EMS provider when faced with a patient who has shallow respirations at a rate of 8 per minute and an altered mental status is to assist the patient's breathing using high concentration oxygen with a BVM.

Step-by-step explanation:

Emergency Response for Altered Breathing

If a 40-year-old female has difficulty breathing with shallow respirations at a rate of 8 per minute and an altered mental status, the MOST important step for the EMS provider is to assist the patient's respiratory efforts with high concentration oxygen using a BVM (Bag-Valve-Mask). Immediate assistance with a BVM will provide the necessary ventilation to improve oxygen levels in the blood, which is critical in a patient showing signs of hypoxemia and respiratory distress. This intervention takes precedence over inquiring about history, observing, or assessing accessory muscle use, as it directly addresses the life-threatening condition of inadequate oxygenation.