A 16-year-old male has been inhaling paint fumes to "feel good." His grandmother called 911 when she found him doing this in the basement and he told her he was having a hard time breathing. He is alert and oriented, with a patent airway and adequate breathing. His radial pulse is strong and skin warm and dry. Your partner reports mild wheezing in both lungs. Vital signs are: pulse 92, respirations 20, blood pressure 148/62, and SpO₂ 96% on room air. He has no medical history. Appropriate initial care would include:

Question

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The patient is exhibiting signs of respiratory distress, including wheezing and difficulty breathing. Therefore, the appropriate initial care would be to administer high-concentration oxygen through a nonrebreather mask to improve oxygen saturation and decrease the work of breathing. Positive pressure ventilation or a breathing treatment with a metered-dose inhaler may be necessary if the patient's respiratory distress worsens or does not improve with oxygen therapy. Oxygen by nasal cannula may not provide enough oxygen for this patient's level of respiratory distress.

A 16-Year-Old Male Has Been Inhaling Paint Fumes to "Feel