Final answer:
To manage a patient with shortness of breath and dyspnea, first assess ABCs. Use a pulse oximeter to detect hypoxemia, listen for abnormal sounds with a stethoscope, and consider collecting sputum samples and conducting a chest radiograph to diagnose the underlying cause, such as pneumonia or influenza, and initiate treatment promptly.
Step-by-step explanation:
If your patient is experiencing shortness of breath (SOB) and dyspnea, it is crucial to approach the situation with urgency and thoroughness. First, you need to assess the patient's airway, breathing, and circulation (the ABCs of resuscitation). Use a pulse oximeter to check for hypoxemia, which is a lower-than-normal level of oxygen in the blood. Listen to the heart, and lungs, and assess for any abnormal sounds such as crackling, which can indicate conditions like pneumonia. Next, you may need to collect sputum samples and possibly order a chest radiograph to help determine the cause of respiratory distress. Symptoms such as fever, increased heart rate, and greenish sputum can point toward an infection like pneumonia or influenza. Additionally, it's important to consider the patient's history, as exacerbations of chronic conditions like asthma can also cause SOB and dyspnea. Promptly initiating appropriate treatment, which may include oxygen therapy and medications, is critical.