Question

A 27-year-old man arrives in the emergency department unable to aped because of shortness of breath. His wife states the this shortness of breath came on suddenly two days ago adits progressively worse. His wife states that he has a history of asthma with no known allergies. She also says that before two days ago, her husband was in good health.

Physical examination reveals a well-developed, well nourished man in obvious respiratory distress. He is alert, oriented, but very anxious. He is sitting forward in the bed. gasping for air. His vital signs include a respiratory rate of 28 breaths/minute, 125 beats/minute, blood pressure (BP) 112/75, temperature 37.9 ⁰C, and pulse oximeter of 92%. His trachea is midline wit accessory muscle use. Lung auscultation reveals bilateral inspiratory and expiratory wheezes.

What diagnostic tests are appropriate for this 27-year-old man in respiratory distress?

Answer 1

The patient shows shortness of breath with accessory muscle use, and Lung auscultation reveals bilateral inspiratory and expiratory wheeze.

It is most likely an asthma attack. Wheezing is commonly associated with asthma attacks, and bilateral wheezing and no crackles confirm it not due to infections like pneumonia. The patient is only 27-year-old which eliminates the chance of COPD.

So, Here proper diagnosis will be, a Chest Xray, Pulmonary functioning test(Spirometry, peak flow test), Exhaled nitric oxide test.