Which ED role is primarily responsible for handling respiratory care for patients?

• A. Paramedics
• B. Pulmonologists
• C. Respiratory Therapists
• D. Nurses

Answer: (C)

Respiratory care in the ED is handled by professionals who specialize in airway management and ventilation. Respiratory therapists are trained to assess breathing and gas exchange, set up and adjust oxygen delivery, manage ventilators for patients who are intubated, and perform airway clearance techniques such as suctioning and chest physiotherapy. They also administer inhaled medications (nebulized bronchodilators, aerosols) and provide noninvasive ventilation like CPAP or BiPAP. In acute situations, they assist with airway procedures and help with arterial blood gas testing under physician orders. While nurses monitor patients and physicians guide overall care, the hands-on, technical respiratory interventions most central to respiratory care in the ED are the domain of respiratory therapists. Paramedics work prehospital, and pulmonologists are consulted for chronic or complex lung disease, not the primary ED respiratory care.