You are working at the triage desk in the ED when a young man on crutches approaches the desk. He appears moderately short of breath. He states he had a cast put on his left leg seven days ago after surgery for a ruptured Achilles tendon. This morning, while he was watching television, he suddenly became short of breath. He has a history of asthma, for which he takes Xopenex as needed, and is taking Tylenol with codeine for pain related to his surgery. The patient's lung sounds are clear and equal, SpO2 is 90 percent on room air, heart rate is 100 and regular, respirations are 24 and slightly labored, blood pressure is 128/88 mmHg, and the patient is afebrile. These findings are most consistent with:
A) allergic reaction to codeine.
B) asthma exacerbated by recent anesthesia.
C) pneumonia secondary to recent anesthesia.
D) pulmonary embolism associated with immobilization of the lower extremity.
Question 2
You have transported a stable patient with complaints of having abdominal pain for the last three weeks to the hospital. On arrival, you notice the emergency department is very busy and there are no empty beds to be found. You have attempted to get the attention of a hospital staff member to transfer the patient, but all are currently helping other patients. Your partner tells you to take the patient to the waiting room and leave him since the dispatcher of your service is holding several serious calls. What could possibly happen to you if you leave the patient in this fashion?
A) Nothing, provided that your supervisor authorizes this action.
B) You could possibly be charged with abandonment.
C) Nothing; there are other people who are in need of an ambulance.
D) You could possibly be charged with false imprisonment.
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