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Medical Author:

Jerry R. Balentine, DO, FACEP

Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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The first priority in the emergency department is to protect the airway (breathing) and maintain adequate blood pressure.

The emergency team will make sure that your airway is open and that you are getting adequate oxygen.

• Oxygen may be given through tubes into the nose or by face mask.



• In severe respiratory distress, mechanical ventilation may be required. In this situation, a tube is placed via the mouth into the air passages to keep the airway open. The tube is connected to a ventilator ( providing oxygen directly into the lung )



• In rare cases, a simple surgery is performed to open an airway.

If blood pressure is dangerously low, medication to increase blood pressure will be given.

• An intravenous (IV) catheter may be inserted



• This is used to give saline solution to help boost blood pressure.



• The IV line may also be used to give medication.

You may need to be admitted to the hospital for further monitoring and treatment.

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