When a person struggles to breathe, the situation is immediately urgent, requiring calm and focused action. Your primary goal is to quickly gather specific information to assess the severity of the condition and relay accurate data to emergency medical services (EMS). Remaining composed is paramount, as a steady demeanor helps reduce the victim’s anxiety, which often worsens respiratory distress. The questions you ask perform a rapid, targeted assessment to guide immediate support and inform the medical team’s treatment plan.
Questions to Determine the Cause
To identify the source of the breathing difficulty, understand the circumstances surrounding the onset of symptoms. Ask the victim, “What were you doing exactly when the shortness of breath started?” This establishes the activity level at onset, distinguishing between sudden events and those brought on by exertion. Sudden onset suggests acute causes like anaphylaxis or pneumothorax, while gradual worsening might suggest conditions such as COPD exacerbation or pneumonia.
Next, determine if trauma or environmental factors are involved. Ask, “Did you fall or hit your chest before this began?” or “Were you exposed to any smoke, strong chemicals, or known allergens?” Trauma suggests a bruised or collapsed lung, while exposure questions look for irritants or allergic triggers. Also ask about other symptoms: “Are you experiencing any coughing, fever, or wheezing?” This helps narrow possibilities between infection, asthma, or a cardiac issue.
Questions to Gauge Severity and Progression
The victim’s ability to speak is an immediate measure of respiratory distress severity, as it relates directly to airflow. Ask, “Can you speak to me in full sentences, or only in one or two words?” If the person can only manage single words or short phrases, they are likely experiencing severe respiratory compromise.
Also assess the progression of symptoms by asking, “Is the difficulty getting worse, staying the same, or getting better?” Understanding the trajectory helps EMS anticipate the need for advanced interventions, especially if the condition is rapidly worsening. Finally, ask about the location of associated symptoms: “Where exactly do you feel the pain or tightness?” Chest tightness often suggests bronchoconstriction, while sharp pain worsening with inhalation may indicate inflammation of the lung lining.
Questions Regarding Medical History and Triggers
Gathering a focused medical history accelerates the correct treatment protocol. Ask directly, “Do you have a history of asthma, heart problems, or severe allergies?” Knowing about pre-existing conditions provides context for the current event. If the victim has a known condition, follow up with, “Do you use an inhaler, oxygen, or any other breathing equipment at home?”
Also ask, “Are you currently taking any prescription medications?” and “Have you eaten or taken anything unusual recently?” Medications can cause adverse reactions, and a recent substance could trigger an allergic reaction or poisoning. Finally, ask, “Has this happened to you this badly in the past?” This informs the medical team about the likely cause and the patient’s typical response to treatment.