Question

A 13 year-old patient in the ED is complaining of dyspnea, chest tightness, and a loose productive cough. The patient has a respiratory rate of 28 breaths/minute and bilateral wheezing in the lungs. What treatment should the respiratory therapist initiate?

1) levalbuterol
2) oxygen
3) salmeterol
4) PEP

Answer 1

The respiratory therapist should treat the 13-year-old patient with levalbuterol, a fast-acting bronchodilator, as it provides immediate relief for acute asthma symptoms like wheezing and dyspnea.

Step-by-step explanation:

A 13-year-old patient in the emergency department (ED) presenting with dyspnea, chest tightness, and a productive cough, along with an elevated respiratory rate and bilateral wheezing, is likely experiencing an acute asthma exacerbation or possibly another obstructive pulmonary disorder.

Given the symptoms and the urgency of the situation, the respiratory therapist should initiate treatment with a fast-acting bronchodilator such as levalbuterol, which is option 1. Levalbuterol is a quick-relief medication that can help to ease wheezing and improve breathing. While oxygen therapy (option 2) is important, especially if the patient is hypoxemic, and the role of long-acting bronchodilators like salmeterol (option 3) is more for maintenance rather than acute relief. PEP (option 4) or positive expiratory pressure therapy can be helpful in some cases, but it is not the initial treatment for acute symptoms.