Question

If a 70 year old patient whose complaint is being short of breath has had emphysema in the past, what should you do?

A) Avoid giving oxygen so you do not terminate the present hypoxic drive
B) Avoid giving oxygen because such patients hardly respond to it
C) Provide oxygen since often, hypoxic drive does not have an impact
D) Avoid giving oxygen since such patients end up apneic after receiving oxygen at high flow

Answer 1

For a 70-year-old patient with a history of emphysema complaining of shortness of breath, it is important to C) provide oxygen since often, the hypoxic drive does not have an impact in such patients. Emphysema is a chronic lung disease that causes damaged alveoli and reduced lung function.

Step-by-step explanation:

For a 70-year-old patient with a history of emphysema complaining of shortness of breath, it is important to provide oxygen since often, the hypoxic drive does not have an impact in such patients (C).

Emphysema is a chronic lung disease that causes damaged alveoli and reduced lung function. Giving oxygen can help alleviate the shortness of breath and improve oxygen levels in the blood.

It is crucial to provide appropriate oxygen therapy to patients with emphysema to ensure their respiratory needs are met.