Author: Airida Narkute / Editor: Tim Osborne / Codes: / Published: 11/03/2026
A 62-year-old patient presents to the Emergency Department (ED) complaining of a cough and shortness of breath which started this morning. He is breathless on exertion and tachypnoeic at rest, yet able to talk and is not distressed.
His past medical history includes chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and hypertension.
Vital signs:
Respiratory rate 23 breaths per minute
Oxygen saturation (SpO2) 88% breathing room air
Heart rate 92 beats per minute
Blood pressure 150/90 mmHg
Temperature 37.4 C
