67.A 42-year-old man presents to the ED via ambulance after activating
EMS for dyspnea. He is currently on an oxygen face mask and was admin-
istered one nebulized treatment of a β 2 -agonist by the paramedics. His ini-
tial vitals include an RR of 16 breaths per minute with an oxygen saturation
of 96% on room air. The patient appears to be in mild distress with some
intercostal retractions. Upon chest auscultation, there are minimal wheezes
localized over bilateral lower lung fields. The patient’s symptoms com-
pletely resolve after two more nebulizer treatments. Which of the following
medications, in addition to a rescue β 2 -agonist inhaler, should be pre-
scribed for outpatient use?
a. Magnesium sulfate
b. EpiPen
c. Corticosteroids
d. Cromolyn sodium
e. Ipratropium
68.A 22-year-old woman is brought to the ED by paramedics who state
that they found the patient hunched over on a park bench barely breathing.
The patient is rousable only to painful stimuli. Her initial vitals include a HR
of 78 beats per minute, a BP of 125/58 mm Hg, and a respiratory rate of
6 breaths per minute with an oxygen saturation of 94% on 2-L nasal can-
nula. Upon physical examination, the patient has clear breath sounds
bilaterally and no signs of trauma. Her pupils are 2 mm bilaterally and
reactive to light. Which of the following agents may be used to restore this
patient’s respirations?
a. Oxygen
b. Flumazenil
c. Anticholinergic inhaler treatment
d. β 2 -Agonist nebulized treatment
e. Naloxone
Shortness of Breath 59