Final answer:
When a 44-year-old woman complains of feeling anxious and being unable to breathe, the best course of action is to assess her respiratory rate, rhythm, and oxygen saturation, and listen to her lungs. This will help determine if she is getting adequate oxygen and what might be causing her symptoms. Other options could be harmful or unnecessary without this initial assessment.
Step-by-step explanation:
If a 44-year-old woman is complaining of feeling anxious and states, "I can't breathe," the correct action to take would be Option A: Assess her respiratory rate and rhythm, check her oxygen saturation and listen to her lungs. This initial assessment is crucial for determining whether the patient is getting enough oxygen or if there is another cause for her symptoms. It involves listening for abnormal breath sounds, such as wheezing or crackling, which can indicate conditions like asthma or pneumonia.
Placing a non-rebreather mask (Option B) and turning the flow to 6 LPM may not be appropriate without first assessing her oxygen level, as too much oxygen can be harmful if not needed. Immediate manual ventilation (Option C) should only be done if the patient is not breathing or not effectively breathing on their own. Finally, an abdominal thrust (Option D) is only appropriate if you have confirmed that the patient is choking, and there is evidence of an airway obstruction. To assess the possibility of choking, look for signs such as inability to speak, labored breathing with gasping or wheezing, clutching at the throat, and a bluish color to the face. If the patient is conscious and able to talk, choking is less likely, and other causes of breathing difficulties should be considered.