Question

A patient with a medical history of sickle cell anemia is complaining of chest pain and shortness of breath. The patient is breathing 26 times a minute in short, shallow respirations. However, the patient's oxygen saturation via pulse oximetry is 100% on room air. The best approach regarding supplemental oxygen is to:

A. do nothing; no supplemental oxygen is necessary.
B. place the patient on a nasal cannula.
C. place the patient on a simple face mask.
D. place the patient on a nonrebreather mask.

Answer 1

The best approach regarding supplemental oxygen for a patient with sickle cell anemia experiencing chest pain and shortness of breath, but with a pulse oximetry reading of 100%, is to do nothing; no supplemental oxygen is necessary.

Step-by-step explanation:

The best approach regarding supplemental oxygen for a patient with sickle cell anemia experiencing chest pain and shortness of breath, but with a pulse oximetry reading of 100%, is A. do nothing; no supplemental oxygen is necessary.

Although the patient is showing symptoms of respiratory distress, the oxygen saturation level is normal, indicating that the oxygen supply to the tissues is adequate without supplemental oxygen.