Question

You are on the scene of a 68-year-old patient with a history of COPD who is breathing 44 times per minute and has a diminished level of consciousness. His wife states he has an Albuterol inhaler and nitroglycerin tablets for angina. What is the most important drug you can administer to the patient?

A. Oxygen by nonrebreather mask
B. Oxygen by bag-valve mask
C. Nitroglycerin
D. Albuterol

Answer 1

The most important drug to administer to this patient is Oxygen by nonrebreather mask.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most important drug to administer to this patient is Oxygen by nonrebreather mask. Given the patient's history of COPD and breathing rate of 44 times per minute, it is crucial to provide supplemental oxygen to improve oxygenation and alleviate respiratory distress. Albuterol is generally used for bronchodilation in patients with asthma or COPD, but oxygen therapy takes precedence in this scenario.