Question

You arrive at a restaurant, where the 58-year-old male patient is sitting at a table. As you approach, you note that he appears to be panicked and is laboring to breathe. As you get closer, you note audible stridor, and the patient is cyanotic. You feel very little movement of air from his mouth or nose when you are close to him. Your initial impression should be:

1) apnea.
2) mild dyspnea.
3) asthma.
4) upper airway obstruction.

Answer 1

Your initial impression should be upper airway obstruction. The symptoms of audible stridor, cyanosis, and little movement of air from the mouth or nose indicate a blockage or obstruction in the upper airway.

Step-by-step explanation:

Your initial impression should be upper airway obstruction. The patient's symptoms of audible stridor, cyanosis, and little movement of air from the mouth or nose indicate a blockage or obstruction in the upper airway. These signs are suggestive of choking, which can cause a complete or partial obstruction of the airway, leading to difficulty breathing and a panicked state.