When assessing a patient complaining of shortness of breath, which of the following actions should the EMT perform first?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The first action the EMT should perform is to assess the adequacy of the patient's breathing. This will help determine the severity of the shortness of breath and whether immediate intervention is necessary. Once the breathing is assessed, then the EMT can proceed with determining the cause of the shortness of breath and implementing appropriate interventions. Ascertain whether the patient has used an MDI and getting the patient's SpO₂ to 100% are important interventions, but they should not be performed before assessing the adequacy of the patient's breathing.

When Assessing a Patient Complaining of Shortness of Breath, Which