Following assessment of a dyspneic patient, what initial therapy would you recommend?

Administering oxygen via nasal cannula at 5 L/min is a standard and effective initial therapy for a dyspneic patient. Dyspnea, or difficulty in breathing, can be caused by a variety of conditions, including respiratory illnesses or exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Providing supplemental oxygen helps to increase the oxygen saturation in the blood and improve the patient's overall oxygen delivery, which is crucial for alleviating the symptoms of dyspnea.

This method is non-invasive, easy to administer, and can quickly relieve hypoxia without the additional risks associated with more invasive procedures, such as intubation. The use of a nasal cannula at this flow rate is generally safe and effective for many patients experiencing mild to moderate dyspnea and does not require advanced airway management unless the situation worsens.

In contrast, more aggressive interventions, such as intubation, are typically reserved for severe respiratory distress or failure when other measures have failed or when a patient's airway needs protection. Placing the patient in a prone position, while beneficial in certain contexts like acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), is not a first-line intervention specifically for dyspnea. Starting nebulized saline treatment has limited efficacy and is generally not the first choice