Paramedic National Registry Practice

What is the most appropriate next action for a patient experiencing wheezing who has a history of asthma and shows improvement after treatment?

1. Intubate the patient

2. Administer additional bronchodilators

3. Place the patient on high-flow oxygen

4. Conduct a chest X-ray

The correct answer is: Intubate the patient

In the scenario described, where a patient with a history of asthma is experiencing wheezing but shows improvement after treatment, the most appropriate next action would involve closely monitoring the patient's progress rather than taking drastic measures like intubation. Intubation is typically reserved for situations where a patient is in respiratory distress, unable to protect their airway, or showing signs of complete respiratory failure. Since the patient is improving, this intervention would not be necessary or appropriate. Administering additional bronchodilators could be beneficial if the patient had not shown improvement. However, since there is already noted improvement, the focus should shift to maintaining stability and avoiding overtreatment. Placing the patient on high-flow oxygen might be warranted if there were concerns regarding hypoxia; however, if the patient is improving and maintains adequate oxygen saturation, this approach may not be immediately necessary. Conducting a chest X-ray can be useful in evaluating underlying conditions but is not the priority when the patient shows improvement post-treatment for their asthma. The focus should remain on monitoring the patient’s respiratory status and ensuring they remain stable, rather than pursuing additional diagnostics or interventions that do not align with their current clinical picture of improvement.