Question

A 46-year-old remote area nurse is consulting via telehealth with a GP about a 5-year-old child in a very remote community with suspected pneumonia and oxygen saturation 88% on room air. There is no onsite doctor and retrieval will take several hours. According to rural practice principles, what is the most appropriate immediate step?

Accepted Answer

Commence oxygen via nasal prongs and start empiric antibiotics as per protocol

Answer

Reassure and wait for retrieval without intervention

Answer

Advise the nurse to give oral paracetamol only

Answer

Ask the family to drive 300 km to the nearest hospital

Answer

Withhold oxygen to avoid masking deterioration

Practice question