Your male patient is having difficulty breathing; his skin appears pale and slightly blue. His wife tells you that just before she called 911, his breathing was very slow and shallow. He is in which stage of inadequate ventilation?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Respiratory failure is characterized by the inability of the respiratory system to perform its primary function of gas exchange, leading to inadequate oxygenation of and/or removal of carbon dioxide from the blood. The symptoms described, including difficulty breathing, pale and slightly blue skin (indicative of cyanosis), and slow and shallow breathing, are indicative of respiratory failure.

Your Male Patient Is Having Difficulty Breathing; His Skin Appears