Question

Which of the following patients does NOT require the administration of supplemental oxygen?

A. A 60-year-old woman with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who can speak two or three words at a time without a breath
B. A 6-year-old male with a history of asthma whose breath sounds are silent and who is drowsy
C. A 31-year-old male who is unresponsive due to an overdose of narcotics
D. A 24-year-old woman who is breathing 28 times per minute after being in an argument with her husband

Answer 1

The patient who does not require supplemental oxygen is the 24-year-old woman experiencing rapid breathing due to emotional upset, as her condition does not indicate a medical impairment of oxygenation.

Step-by-step explanation:

Assessing the need for supplemental oxygen in patients involves understanding their respiratory status, which is indicative of their body's oxygenation needs. Patient A, with COPD, and speaking only a few words at a time, shows signs of respiratory distress and therefore requires oxygen therapy.

Patient B, a child with silent breath sounds and drowsiness, likely represents a severe asthma attack, necessitating immediate oxygen administration. Patient C, unresponsive due to overdose, needs oxygen to ensure adequate tissue perfusion and to prevent hypoxia. Conversely, Patient D is the only one in the scenario whose symptoms (breathing 28 times per minute after an argument) are likely related to transient emotional distress rather than a medical condition impairing oxygenation, and therefore, she does not require supplemental oxygen in the absence of other symptoms indicating respiratory compromise.