A 56-year-old female patient with a smoking history and COPD complains of the sudden onset of shortness of breath and diaphoresis. Her history indicates no cardiac diagnosis but previous drug abuse 8 years ago. Vital signs are pulse, 96; respirations, 18 breaths/min and mildly labored; blood pressure, 168/102 mmHg; and SpO2, 96% on home oxygen at 4 lpm, which she wears for COPD. The patient's lung sounds are clear but diminished bilaterally. What is your best action?

Here are some cardiovascular emergencies that EMTs may encounter: Cardiac arrest: When the heart stops pumping blood, leading to loss of consciousness and normal breathing. This can be marked by sudden collapse, absence of pulse, and cessation of breathing. Defibrillation: An electrical shock that restores a normal heart rhythm in someone experiencing cardiac arrest. Bradycardia: A heart rate below 60 beats per minute. Symptomatic bradycardia can include dizziness, feeling faint upon standing, shortness of breath, and a low heart rate. Tachycardia: A heart rate above 100 beats per... Show more

Here are some cardiovascular emergencies that EMTs may encounter:
Cardiac arrest: When the heart stops pumping blood, leading to loss of consciousness and normal breathing. This can be marked by sudden collapse, absence of pulse, and cessation of breathing.
Defibrillation: An electrical shock that restores a normal heart rhythm in someone experiencing cardiac arrest.
Bradycardia: A heart rate below 60 beats per minute. Symptomatic bradycardia can include dizziness, feeling faint upon standing, shortness of breath, and a low heart rate.
Tachycardia: A heart rate above 100 beats per minute.
Chest pain: A symptom that can be an indicator of many underlying problems, whether mild or sharp, or simply an aching discomfort.
Dyspnea: Shortness of breath. It can be the primary manifestation of cardiovascular, respiratory, metabolic, neuromuscular disorders or obesity.
Hypertensive emergencies: An acute, severe elevation in blood pressure accompanied by end-organ compromise.

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