Question

"You are on-scene with a 70-year-old female who complains of being awakened in the middle of the night by sudden onset dyspnea and sweating. She is breathing 32 times per minute with inspiratory/expiratory wheezing and rales auscultated in all fields bilaterally, with an SpO2 of 88 percent on room air. Her heart rate is 136 beats per minute, showing an irregularly irregular sinus tachycardia on the monitor.

Which of the following is most likely causing the patient's current signs and symptoms?

A. Acute renal failure

B.Chronic bronchitis

C. Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea

D. Acute respiratory distress syndrome"

Answer 1

The most likely cause of the patient's current signs and symptoms is Paroxysmal Nocturnal Dyspnea. Paroxysmal Nocturnal Dyspnea is a condition characterized by sudden attacks of severe shortness of breath, awakening the patient from sleep and causing them to sit up or stand in order to relieve the symptoms.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most likely cause of the patient's current signs and symptoms is Paroxysmal Nocturnal Dyspnea (C). Paroxysmal Nocturnal Dyspnea is a condition characterized by sudden attacks of severe SOB, awakening the patient from sleep and causing them to sit up or stand in order to relieve the symptoms.

The patient's complaints of being awakened in the middle of the night by sudden onset dyspnea and sweating, along with inspiratory/expiratory wheezing and rales auscultated in all fields bilaterally are consistent with the symptoms of Paroxysmal Nocturnal Dyspnea. The patient's irregularly irregular sinus tachycardia could be a result of the sympathetic response to the dyspnea and stress.