Certified Post Anesthesia Nurse (CPAN) Practice Exam

In a patient with dyspnea and hemoptysis, what is the immediate management recommended?

1. Fentanyl, thoracentesis and albuterol

2. O2, morphine sulfate and heparin

3. Meperidine, O2 and warfarin

4. Codeine, O2 and erythromycin

The correct answer is: O2, morphine sulfate and heparin

The recommended immediate management for a patient experiencing dyspnea and hemoptysis involves providing supplemental oxygen to address potential hypoxemia, as it is crucial to ensure adequate oxygen supply to the body's tissues during respiratory distress. Morphine sulfate serves a dual purpose; it not only aids in alleviating anxiety and dyspnea but also helps to decrease respiratory drive and reduce cardiac workload, which can be particularly beneficial in patients who are experiencing discomfort related to their breathing. Additionally, administering heparin is important in situations where there is suspicion of a pulmonary embolism, given that hemoptysis can sometimes be indicative of thromboembolic events. Heparin helps to prevent further clot formation and improve blood flow in the vessels of the lungs. The other options contain various combinations of medications and interventions that either are not standard for the immediate management of this situation or do not effectively address the acute needs of the patient with dyspnea and hemoptysis. For example, while albuterol may be useful for bronchospasm, it does not directly address the immediate severity of symptoms indicated by hemoptysis. Similarly, the use of meperidine and codeine, while providing pain relief, does not adequately manage the respiratory distress effectively compared to