A 48-year-old male patient is short of breath and confused. His airway is open, and his breathing is fast. A radial pulse is easily palpated. His skin is warm to cool and dry. Your partner reports the following vital signs: pulse, 124; respirations, 24 breaths/min; blood pressure, 158/86 mmHg; and SpO2, 89% on room air. The patient's lung sounds indicate slight wheezing. Based on this information, which of these conditions poses the most immediate threat to this patient's well-being?

A) Hypoxia
B) Elevated blood pressure
C) Possible infection
D) Increased heart rate


A) Hypoxia

Health Professions

You might also like to view...

All of the following are classic signs of anemia except:

a. Fatigue b. Pallor c. Shortness of breath d. Nosebleeds

Health Professions

A patient undergoing incentive spirometry should be monitored for outcome by assessing which of the following?

1. Forced expiratory volume at 1 second (FEV1) 2. Peak expiratory flow 3. Partial pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO2) 4. Blood pressure a. 1 and 2 c. 1 and 4 b. 2 and 3 d. 3 and 4

Health Professions

Under TRICARE, what does NAS stand for?

Nonavailability statement Nonactive status Nonauthorized service No available surgeons

Health Professions

Why must the electrode of a transcutaneous monitor be moved frequently to different locations on the patient's skin?

A) It fails to measure PO2 and PCO2 anymore. B) It will drift over time. C) It causes a pigment change on the skin. D) It may cause burns.

Health Professions