What should be done if a patient in respiratory distress is unable to tolerate CPAP?

In cases where a patient in respiratory distress cannot tolerate CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure), providing immediate assistance to ensure adequate ventilation is crucial. Bag-mask ventilation serves as an effective method to support a patient who may be unable to maintain their own airway or achieve sufficient oxygenation and ventilation with CPAP alone. By using bag-mask ventilation, you can deliver positive pressure breaths to the patient, ensuring that oxygen is effectively getting into the lungs, which is essential in a respiratory distress scenario.

The reasoning behind this approach is to prioritize the patient's immediate respiratory needs whilst acknowledging that CPAP may not be effective for everyone and can sometimes exacerbate distress if the patient is unable to tolerate it. Thus, transitioning to bag-mask ventilation allows for a more controlled and direct method of delivering oxygen, while simultaneously assisting the patient's breathing effort.

While supplementary oxygen methods like high-flow nasal cannula might be appropriate for some patients, they do not provide the same level of respiratory support as bag-mask ventilation in acute respiratory distress situations. Placing a patient in a supine position may also not be advisable, especially in cases of respiratory distress, as it can further complicate breathing. Discontinuing oxygen therapy is counterproductive in this situation, as maintaining adequate oxygenation is critical in