Approach to the patient with respiratory distress

Abstract

Respiratory emergencies are common presentations to emergency clinicians. Appropriate assessment and timely interventions may be crucial in the stabilization of dyspneic patients. The emergency clinician should be fully prepared and equipped to correctly ascertain and treat the most likely cause of respiratory compromise of a patient. Based on history, signalment, clinical presentation, and brief physical examination findings, the clinician should be able to formulate a plan of action to relieve respiratory distress and communicate with the owner about the diagnostic and therapeutic strategies and overall prognosis of the patient. Prompt recognition of the underlying respiratory disease and complete familiarity with emergency diagnostic and therapeutic procedures can lead to the successful management of many emergency respiratory patients.