Posted: July 5th, 2017

When assessing a 22-year old patient who required emergency surgery and multiple transfusion 3 days ago, you find that the patient looks anxious and has labored respirations at the rate of 38 breaths/min. The oxygen saturation is 90% with the oxygen delivery at 6 L/min via nasal cannula. Which action is most appropriate?

When assessing a 22-year old patient who required emergency surgery and multiple transfusion 3 days ago, you find that the patient looks anxious and has labored respirations at the rate of 38 breaths/min. The oxygen saturation is 90% with the oxygen delivery at 6 L/min via nasal cannula. Which action is most appropriate?

A. Increase the flow rate on the oxygen to 10 L/min and reassess the patient after about 10 minutes
B. Assist the patient in using the incentive spirometer and splint his chest with a pillow while he coughs
C. Administer the ordered morphine sulfate to the patient to decrease his anxiety and reduce the hyperventilation
D. Switch the patient to a nonrebreather mask at 95% to 100% oxygen and call the physician to discuss the patient’s status.