Which team member administers breathing treatments and assists with managing a patient's airway?

Which team member administers breathing treatments and assists with managing a patient's airway?

• A. RT
• B. ED Nurse
• C. Scribe
• D. Unit Secretary

Answer: (A)

Breathing treatments and airway care fall under respiratory care. A respiratory therapist is trained to administer inhaled medications, perform aerosol therapies, manage oxygen delivery, suction secretions, and assist with airway devices and ventilatory support. This combination of tasks is exactly what these roles are built to handle, especially in acute care settings like the ED or hospital floors. An ED nurse provides essential bedside care and can assist with airway support, but the specialized delivery of breathing treatments and management of complex airways is most characteristic of a respiratory therapist. A scribe records patient information, and a unit secretary handles administrative duties, so they don't perform these direct therapy tasks.

Breathing treatments and airway care fall under respiratory care. A respiratory therapist is trained to administer inhaled medications, perform aerosol therapies, manage oxygen delivery, suction secretions, and assist with airway devices and ventilatory support. This combination of tasks is exactly what these roles are built to handle, especially in acute care settings like the ED or hospital floors. An ED nurse provides essential bedside care and can assist with airway support, but the specialized delivery of breathing treatments and management of complex airways is most characteristic of a respiratory therapist. A scribe records patient information, and a unit secretary handles administrative duties, so they don't perform these direct therapy tasks.