- By just looking at the patient you can tell she is in moderate to severe distress. You apply supplemental O2 and transfer her to your stretcher. The patient is put on the monitor and the paramedic gives an albuterol treatment. You attempt to calm the patient by encouraging her to take slow, deep breaths.
- On re-evaluation, you notice an improvement of her breath sounds from distant to inspiratory and expiratory wheezes throughout.
- In route to the hospital, the patient begins to be able to communicate with you. She states that her asthma had been getting worse over the past week. She also reports that she currently has a cold with increasing postnasal congestion. The paramedic decides to repeat the breathing treatment times three and not give any subcutaneous epinephrine at this time.
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