03-26-2009, 11:27 AM
15-year-old girl presents to the ER complaining of a sudden onset of feeling that she is unable to breathe. She also complains of tingling around her lips and fingertips. Upon further questioning, you learn that she has had frequent similar episodes in the past. She has no history of asthma, and she has no chest pain or fever. Physical examination reveals a respiratory rate of 30 to 40 breaths/min, oxygen saturation on room air of 99%, no intercostal retractions, and no fever. No wheezing or crackles are evident on chest auscultation; breath sounds are good bilaterally. The balance of findings on the physical examination, including a complete neurologic evaluation, are normal. Of the following, the symptom that BEST distinguishes the correct diagnosis from compensatory hyperventilation is
A) chronicity of the complaint
B) lack of chest pain
C) lack of fever
D) oxygen saturation
E) respiratory rate
A) chronicity of the complaint
B) lack of chest pain
C) lack of fever
D) oxygen saturation
E) respiratory rate