Question

You are called to the scene of a​ 45-year-old man with extreme trouble breathing. Upon your​ arrival, he is not​ breathing, but you can feel a weak carotid pulse. Which of the following terms BEST describes his​ condition?

A. Dyspnea
B. Respiratory arrest
C. Respiratory failure
D. Cardiac arrest

Answer 1

The correct term for a 45-year-old man with extreme trouble breathing who is not breathing but has a weak carotid pulse is Respiratory arrest, which necessitates immediate medical intervention including CPR.

Step-by-step explanation:

If you are called to the scene of a 45-year-old man with extreme trouble breathing who is now not breathing but has a weak carotid pulse, the condition that best describes his state is Respiratory arrest. This is because he is unable to breathe on his own despite having a detectable pulse, which rules out Cardiac arrest where the heart no longer beats effectively. Dyspnea refers to difficulty in breathing, and while the individual initially had extreme trouble breathing, the current state has progressed beyond that, necessitating immediate medical intervention such as the start of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) focused on breathing support since a pulse is present.