Your patient is an 82-year-old woman whose daughter called E…
Your patient is an 82-year-old woman whose daughter called EMS because the patient became very short of breath as they walked from their parking spot to the front of their church. On your arrival, the patient states that she just needed a little rest and now feels much better. On questioning, she admits to several such episodes in the past month. She denies chest pain and she says, “I just got winded because I’m getting so old.” The patient has a heart rate of 104, a respiratory rate of 20, and blood pressure of 172/90 mmHg. Lung sounds are clear and equal bilaterally. Your history and physical examination should focus on which of the following possibilities?
Read DetailsA 34-year-old man is having trouble breathing. As you introd…
A 34-year-old man is having trouble breathing. As you introduce yourself, his 17-year-old daughter tells you that the patient is deaf and communicates via American Sign Language. Which of the following would be the MOST effective means of communicating with this patient?
Read DetailsYou are called to the home of a 75-year-old patient with end…
You are called to the home of a 75-year-old patient with end-stage lung cancer. The patient’s daughter states that she called because the patient is experiencing increasing dyspnea. The patient is on home oxygen at 4 liters per minute; however, the daughter states that the patient’s SpO 2 is “way lower than normal.” What would be the first course of action in this situation?
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