Question

a 12 - year - old male has difficulty breathing. he tells you he has had a cold all week. you auscultate rhonchi in his left lower chest. his vital signs are p 104, r 28, bp 104/74, and spo2 is 89% on room air. does this patient need oxygen? if so what type? no yes, nasal canula at 2 - 6 lpm yes, non rebreather at 15 lpm yes, cpap yes, bvm at 15 lpm

Explanation:

The patient has a SpO2 of 89% on room air. Normal SpO2 is typically 95 - 100%. A non - rebreather mask at 15 lpm is used for patients with significant hypoxemia (low oxygen saturation) as it can deliver a high concentration of oxygen (up to 90 - 100%). A nasal cannula (2 - 6 lpm) delivers a lower concentration (24 - 44%). CPAP is for patients with sleep apnea or certain types of respiratory failure where positive pressure is needed. BVM (bag - valve - mask) is usually for patients who are not breathing adequately or have respiratory arrest. Since the patient is breathing (R = 28, although tachypneic), but has severe hypoxemia (SpO2 89%), a non - rebreather is appropriate.

Answer:

Yes, non rebreather at 15 lpm