What clinical intervention is often required for patients in respiratory distress with tachypnea?

• A. Medication adjustment
• B. Mechanical ventilation
• C. Increased fluid intake
• D. Bed rest

Answer: (B)

For patients experiencing respiratory distress with tachypnea, mechanical ventilation is a clinical intervention that is often necessary. This is because tachypnea indicates an increased breathing rate, which can signal that the body is struggling to maintain adequate oxygenation or remove carbon dioxide. When a patient is in respiratory distress, their ability to breathe effectively may be compromised, leading to insufficient gas exchange.

Mechanical ventilation provides a controlled method of delivering oxygen to the lungs while assisting or taking over the breathing process entirely, depending on the severity of the patient's condition. This intervention can help stabilize the patient by ensuring that the lungs receive adequate ventilation, allowing for optimal gas exchange and thus addressing the immediate needs that arise with respiratory distress.

While medication adjustments can help manage underlying causes of respiratory issues, and increased fluid intake or bed rest might be supportive measures, they do not directly address the critical need for adequate ventilation in cases of significant respiratory distress. Therefore, mechanical ventilation stands out as a vital and often required intervention in this clinical scenario.