Q:
Regarding protocol "3050 - CHF Pulmonary Edema": if you had a patient that you couldn't talk down to accept CPAP, could you give a benzo?
A:
No. Medications with respiratory depression are contraindicated in the field for treatment of respiratory distress. CPAP should be explained to patient and proper technique including coaching and reassurance used to ensure patient comfort. Sedation should not be necessary, and in general, when patients benefit from CPAP, they improve rapidly. Agitation is a common sign of critical hypoxia, so if patient is increasing agitated, this is a very concerning sign for impending respiratory arrest.