An 84-year-old male complains of generalized weakness and an ache in his left shoulder. He also reports mild shortness of breath, but has clear lung sounds and an SpO₂ of 93%. When asked, he claims that the discomfort started after getting out of bed 2 hours ago. He denies any known injury to his shoulder or back. He has a history of coronary artery disease, hypertension, TIA, and irritable bowel syndrome. Family members state that he has early dementia. There are no obvious life threats and his vital signs are normal for his age. The appropriate treatment for this patient would include:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The patient's age, history of coronary artery disease and mild shortness of breath suggest that he may be experiencing a cardiac event. Providing oxygen and treating him as a cardiac patient is appropriate until further evaluation can be done at a medical facility. Continuing to monitor and transport is not enough until the underlying cause of his symptoms can be identified. Immobilizing his right arm and shoulder or applying ice and a sling to his shoulder may not address his generalized weakness and mild shortness of breath.

An 84-Year-Old Male Complains of Generalized Weakness and an Ache