All triage presentations
Respiratory

Shortness of breath - undifferentiated

ED triage front-load checklist

Quick view

Lead with the essentials

  1. 1Sudden or gradual
  2. 2Degree of distress
  3. 3SpO2 on room air and now
  4. 4New oxygen requirement
  5. 5Lung sounds
  6. 6Chest pain
  7. 7Fever/cough
  8. 8COPD/asthma/CHF history
  9. 9Baseline oxygen
  10. 10Treatment and response
Front-load

Key points

  • Sudden or gradual?
  • Degree of distress.
  • SpO2 on room air and now.
  • New oxygen requirement?
  • Lung sounds.
  • Chest pain?
  • Fever/cough?
  • COPD/asthma/CHF history.
  • Baseline oxygen.
  • Treatment and response.