Question

What is the problem with the treatment in the following​ narrative?

The pt. complained of chest pain x 2 days before calling EMS and is now also​ c/o SOB. Vitals BP​ 90/50, HR​ 40, labored with retractions. Treated with O2 and atropine. Upon arrival the pt. felt better.
A.
No dosages are stated.
B.
The patient should have received transcutaneous pacing.
C.
Nothing documented supports the treatment given.
D.
A and C are both problematic.

Answer 1

The problem is that the narrative lacks dosage information for atropine (A), and documented symptoms do not clearly support the treatments provided (C), making both A and C problematic. Given the patient's low blood pressure and bradycardia, transcutaneous pacing might have been a more appropriate immediate intervention.

Step-by-step explanation:

The problem with the treatment in the narrative provided is D. A and C are both problematic. Option A is problematic because no dosages are stated for the administration of atropine. This information is crucial for understanding whether the treatment was appropriate and for future clinical decisions. Option C suggests that the documented symptoms and vitals do not necessarily support the treatment given.

The patient's low blood pressure (BP 90/50) and bradycardia (HR 40) along with labored breathing might often warrant an immediate intervention such as transcutaneous pacing, especially if the atropine is not effective. However, the patient ultimately reported feeling better, which does bring about some ambiguity. From a medical standpoint, ensuring proper documentation including dosages and rationales for treatment would significantly improve the quality and safety of patient care.