What is the initial treatment for asthma to maintain SpO2 and EtCO2 levels?

The correct answer is to oxygenate and/or ventilate. When treating an asthmatic patient, the primary goal is to ensure adequate oxygenation and ventilation to prevent hypoxia and improve gas exchange. Asthma can lead to airway obstruction, resulting in decreased SpO2 levels (oxygen saturation) and altered EtCO2 levels (end-tidal carbon dioxide), indicating the patient's ventilatory status.

By oxygenating the patient, you can help to maintain adequate SpO2 levels, which is critical in asthma exacerbations that may compromise the respiratory system. In addition to providing supplemental oxygen, it may be necessary to assist ventilation, especially if the patient is unable to effectively breathe on their own due to severe bronchospasm or fatigue.

While administering high-flow oxygen can be beneficial in certain cases, it does not specifically address the need to improve ventilation or manage carbon dioxide retention. Starting IV fluids might be suited for certain medical conditions but is not a front-line treatment for an acute asthma attack. The use of corticosteroids is important in the overall management of asthma but primarily serves as an anti-inflammatory treatment rather than an immediate solution for oxygenation and ventilation needs in acute scenarios. Thus, focusing on oxygenation and/or ventilation directly addresses the acute respiratory crisis presented