Question

your patient is a motorcyclist who was ejected after striking a guard rail. the patient is unresponsive to painful stimuli and is breathing shallowly six to eight times per minute. 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 is unresponsive and has shallow breathing (6 - 8 times per minute). A Bag - Valve - Mask (BVM) at 15 lpm is appropriate as it provides positive - pressure ventilation. A nasal cannula (2 - 6 lpm) is for mild hypoxia. A non - rebreather (15 lpm) is for moderate hypoxia but does not assist ventilation. CPAP is for obstructive sleep apnea or certain respiratory conditions but not for this unresponsive patient with such low respiratory rate.

Answer:

Yes, BVM at 15 lpm