Round 14 (Shortness of Breath)

CAUTION: THESE NOTES CONTAIN SPOILERS!!!











Case Introduction











You are sitting at your computer on an otherwise quiet night when a young male is brought into your ED in obvious respiratory distress.











Initial Vitals











* Temp 98.6* HR 99* RR 34* BP 105/69* O2 95%











Critical Actions











* Give Albuterol + Ipratropium + Steroids* Obtain Chest Xray* Give Magnesium* Place patient on BiPAP* Give IV Beta Agonist (Epinephrine)











Final Diagnosis











Status Asthmaticus











Tips and Tricks











Frequently perform verbal reassessments on patients with the examiner (vitals, patient appearance, pain, etc)











Additional Reading











* The Crashing Asthmatic (REBEL EM)