Pulmonary Oedema Scenario

You are working as a double Paramedic crew on a frontline Ambulance and have been called to a 58-year-old female who has shortness of breath. You arrive on the scene and are greeted by the patients’ husband who directs you into the kitchen. As you walk in you can hear the patient breathing with a ‘bubbly’ chest.

You see the patient standing in a tripod position by the table, they seem tired, have some cyanosis around the lips, an elevated and laboured breathing rate. The husband explains that her breathing has been getting worse over the past few months, especially when lying down or at night. She is currently under investigation for her heart by the GP.