A 71-year-old woman is complaining of the sudden onset of ...

[Lisaclaire]

A 71-year-old woman is complaining of the sudden onset of shortness of breath. She is cyanotic and appears somewhat panicked. Her respirations are rapid and deep. Her husband tells you that she had knee surgery about one week ago. Based on your assessment and the patient's history, you suspect that the patient is suffering from:
 
  a. an anxiety attack.
  b. an asthma attack.
  c. COPD.
  d. a pulmonary embolus.

Question 2

You are called to aid a 65-year-old man who is having difficulty breathing. When you arrive, you find that he is sitting upright in a chair and is in obvious respiratory distress. His airway is open and his respirations are 28 per minute. At this time you would:
 
  a. provide him oxygen with a nonrebreather mask at 15 liters per minute.
  b. assess his breath sounds.
  c. try to obtain a medical history from him.
  d. assist him to a supine position.

[BAOCHAU2803]

Answer to Question 1

Answer: d

Answer to Question 2

Answer: a