Respiratory Distress and Failure Practice Test

A 22-year-old female with a history of severe asthma has used her rescue inhaler multiple times over two hours with no relief. On your arrival, she is sitting upright, is extremely anxious, and can only speak in one-word sentences. Her respiratory rate is 36 breaths/min with audible wheezing. Vitals: HR 130, BP 140/90, SpO2 91% on room air. While you prepare a nebulizer, she suddenly becomes drowsy, her respiratory rate drops to 8 breaths/min, and wheezing is no longer audible.