Reference no: EM133766277

Question

A patient presents to the emergency department with difficulty breathing. They state it has gotten progressively worse over the last week and now their ankles are starting to swell. R.S. is a 53 year old female is in the emergency department with difficult breathing, productive cough with clear sputum. Usually the patient states she has a little amount of sputum in the morning and that is also when the coughing is worse as well. The patient has a history of asthma and uses albuterol when necessary. However, the albuterol did not work this time. Over the course of the week there has been wheezing, increased coughing and a tightness in the chest that is not relieved by the inhaler. In taking the case history, the patient denies having any symptoms fever, night sweats, weakness, dizziness or sputum that has color associated with it. Denies any environmental exposure to asbestos, or other respiratory occupational toxins. PAST MEDICAL HISTORY: Hypothyroidism. No need for medication at this time Back pain once and awhile relieved by chiropractic care and massage therapy High blood pressure: take amlodopine 25 mg and hydrocholorothiazide 12.5mg Obesity and has recently lost 125 lbs. History of asthma when she lived.