A 66-year-old patient with a history of COPD presents with labored breathing and appears fatigued. What is the best course of action?

In this scenario, assisting the patient’s breathing with a bag-mask device is essential because the patient is exhibiting signs of labored breathing and fatigue, which are indicators that he may not be able to maintain adequate ventilation on his own. Patients with a history of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) may experience exacerbated respiratory distress, leading to insufficient oxygen delivery and carbon dioxide retention.

Using a bag-mask device allows for positive pressure ventilation, which effectively helps the patient by increasing intrathoracic pressure, improving oxygenation, and supporting the removal of carbon dioxide. This intervention is especially crucial in cases where the patient's respiratory drive is compromised, as indicated by their fatigue and labored breathing.

While encouraging the patient to take deep breaths or providing a bronchodilator treatment may seem like reasonable options, these approaches may not address the immediate need for respiratory support in someone who is clearly struggling to breathe. Placing the patient in a sitting position without any intervention may not provide adequate assistance and could lead to further deterioration of their respiratory status. Therefore, immediate mechanical assistance via a bag-mask device is the most effective way to stabilize and support the patient in this scenario.