Question

At a high altitude of 3000 m, a person complains of breathlessness. All of the following can be used for the management of this person except?

• A. Intravenous digoxin
• B. Oxygen supplementation
• C. Immediate descent
• D. Acetazolamide

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

When a person experiences breathlessness at a high altitude of 3000 m, it is often due to altitude sickness, which can result from decreased atmospheric pressure and reduced oxygen availability. Management options for this situation typically focus on improving oxygen saturation and alleviating symptoms related to hypoxia.

Let's examine each option:

• Oxygen supplementation: This is a direct method to improve oxygen levels in the blood by providing additional oxygen, which helps alleviate breathlessness caused by hypoxia.
• Immediate descent: Descending to a lower altitude increases atmospheric pressure and oxygen availability, effectively reducing symptoms of altitude sickness.
• Acetazolamide: This medication helps prevent and reduce symptoms of altitude sickness by promoting bicarbonate diuresis, leading to metabolic acidosis and improved oxygenation.
• Intravenous digoxin: This is a cardiac glycoside used primarily for heart conditions. It does not address high-altitude hypoxia and is therefore not suitable for managing altitude sickness.

Given these explanations, intravenous digoxin is not appropriate for managing breathlessness at high altitudes related to altitude sickness. It does not address the underlying cause of the breathlessness, which is primarily due to hypoxia.