Question

A 36-year-old female presents with a sudden onset of difficulty breathing. She is anxious, has intercostal retractions and nasal flaring. Her respiratory rate is 24 breaths per minute. You do not have a pulse oximeter. You should:

Answer 1

The 36-year-old female presenting with sudden difficulty breathing, anxiety, and intercostal retractions requires immediate medical attention.

Step-by-step explanation:

The 36-year-old female presenting with sudden onset of difficulty breathing, anxiety, intercostal retractions, and nasal flaring, along with a respiratory rate of 24 breaths per minute, requires immediate medical attention. In the absence of a pulse oximeter, which measures oxygen saturation.

It is important to assess for signs of respiratory distress, such as increased work of breathing and hypoxemia. The presence of intercostal retractions and nasal flaring indicates increased effort to breathe, while the elevated respiratory rate suggests an attempt to compensate for the impaired oxygen exchange.

Given these symptoms, it is crucial to seek medical help as soon as possible to diagnose and manage the underlying cause of the breathing difficulties.