EM Cases · Oxygen therapy and acute respiratory failure
Acute hypoxaemic respiratory failure — oxygen and escalation
ACEM Fellowship resus station on oxygen as a drug, target saturations, device ladder, hypercapnia risk, and escalation to HFNC/NIV/ETT.
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Target exams
ACEMFRCEMABEMFRCPCCCFPEMEBEEM
Prompt
A 68-year-old man with COPD and pneumonia is in respiratory distress. SpO₂ 84% on arrival. Manage oxygen therapy, recognise type of failure, and escalate through devices to NIV/intubation thresholds.
Station brief
Format. Clinical-management (resus) station, 11 minutes. You lead oxygen and respiratory support decisions.
References1ShowHide
- [1]O'Driscoll BR, Howard LS, Earis J, et al. BTS guideline for oxygen use in adults in healthcare and emergency settings. Thorax, 2017.PMID 28507176