What should a respiratory therapist suggest for a patient showing inverted T waves on an ECG to decrease the work of the heart?

Inverted T waves on an ECG can indicate various conditions, typically related to ischemia or electrolyte imbalances. When aiming to decrease the work of the heart, ensuring adequate oxygenation is a crucial strategy, particularly in patients presenting with signs of coronary artery disease or related cardiovascular issues.

Providing oxygen by nasal cannula at 5 L/min serves to enhance the oxygen saturation in the blood, which can alleviate the myocardial oxygen demand. By increasing the available oxygen, it helps ensure that the heart muscle is receiving adequate oxygen to function effectively, which is especially important in the context of potential ischemic changes represented by the inverted T waves.

While other interventions, such as medications, are also utilized to manage heart conditions or reduce work on the heart, the immediate need in this case is to ensure efficient oxygen delivery. The higher flow rate of oxygen at 5 L/min can effectively meet this requirement for many patients and allows for a more immediate response to their needs.