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Pulmonary oedema — DipIMC MCQ

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ModerateMedical EmergenciesPulmonary oedemaDipIMC

A man has acute breathlessness, frothy sputum, severe hypertension and widespread crackles. SpO2 is 86% on air and he is sitting upright. What is the most appropriate immediate action?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

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Correct answer: E — Give oxygen, consider CPAP if available and transport with pre-alert

Option E is correct because Acute pulmonary oedema with hypoxia benefits from upright positioning, oxygen and ventilatory support where trained. Option D is less appropriate because oxygen may be supportive, but it does not address the defining time-critical problem first; option C is less appropriate because vascular access is useful, but it should not delay the immediate priority. Option B is less appropriate because it is plausible in a different scenario but suboptimal for the features described; option A is less appropriate because delay would increase clinical risk. Clinical pearl: in DipIMC-style questions, the best answer is the intervention that changes outcome earliest in the pre-hospital phase.

Reference: JRCALC Guidelines