An adult patient in the emergency department is febrile with a temperature of 40 deg C (104 deg F). What should the respiratory therapist recommend based on the ABG analysis?

In a case where an adult patient presents with a high fever of 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), the primary concern often revolves around the potential for hypoxia, which can accompany pyrexia due to increased metabolic demands and possible respiratory distress. The recommendation for supplemental oxygen by nasal cannula at 5 L/min is a critical supportive therapy aimed at ensuring adequate oxygenation, especially if the patient's ABG analysis indicates hypoxemia or other respiratory issues.

Providing supplemental oxygen helps to enhance the oxygen availability to the tissues, which is especially important considering that the elevated body temperature can lead to increased oxygen consumption and potential respiratory compromise. Using a nasal cannula offers a simple, non-invasive method to deliver that oxygen, keeping the patient stable while other assessments and treatments can be made.

The choice of supplemental oxygen is particularly appropriate when there are no indications from the ABG analysis suggesting the need for more invasive interventions such as Bi-level ventilatory assistance or non-invasive positive pressure ventilatory support, which are generally reserved for more severe respiratory conditions or when greater mechanical assistance is needed. Additionally, while a cooling blanket might be beneficial for managing fever, it does not directly address any potential hypoxemia that may arise from the patient's condition.