You have arrived on scene to find a 32-year-old male patient complaining of rapid breathing, light-headedness, tachycardia, and numbness and tingling to his lips and hands. Family on scene reports that he received bad advice from his attorney about a pending divorce when the symptoms started. The patient denies chest pain as well as any other past medical history. His pulse is 124, respirations are 52, and his blood pressure is 158/68 mmHg. What is your first course of action in treating this patient?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The patient is likely experiencing hyperventilation syndrome, often triggered by stress or anxiety, as suggested by the context of receiving bad news and the absence of other medical history. Instructing the patient to close his mouth and breathe through his nose can help slow down his breathing rate, increase carbon dioxide levels, and alleviate symptoms like light-headedness and tingling. Options A, B, and D are not first-line treatments for hyperventilation syndrome.

You Have Arrived on Scene to Find a 32-Year-Old Male