Evaluation and initial management of the patient in respiratory distress

• Published in: Emergency medicine clinics of North America Vol. 21; no. 2; p. 239
• Main Authors: Sigillito, Robert J, DeBlieux, Peter M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.05.2003
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Blood Gas Analysis - methods; Child; Diagnosis, Differential; Emergency Medical Services - methods; Humans; Intubation, Intratracheal - methods; Physical Examination - methods; Positive-Pressure Respiration - methods; Radiography, Thoracic - methods; Respiratory Function Tests - methods; Respiratory Insufficiency - blood; Respiratory Insufficiency - diagnosis; Respiratory Insufficiency - therapy

Evaluation of the patient in acute respiratory distress poses a complex problem to the emergency physician. Because of the heterogeneity of the population of patients presenting in acute respiratory distress, there is a paucity of evidence-based medicine recommendations. Practice habit dictates most...