Question

your patient is a 55 - year - old man with a history of chronic bronchitis. you have been called to his home today because of an increased dyspnea. the patient is on 2 liters per minute of oxygen by nasal cannula at home. your assessment reveals difficulty speaking due to shortness of breath, leaning forward to breathe, a productive cough, and a respiratory rate of 32 per minute.
what phase of respiratory compromise is the patient in?
respiratory distress
respiratory failure
respiratory arrest

Explanation:

Respiratory distress is characterized by increased work of breathing (leaning forward to breathe), shortness of breath (difficulty speaking due to it), and a higher - than - normal respiratory rate (32 per minute). In respiratory failure, there would be more severe signs like altered mental status in addition to respiratory symptoms. Respiratory arrest means there is no breathing at all.

Answer:

Respiratory Distress