Question 2

Questions 2-5 pertain to the following patient:

A 70-year-old woman was found in the street in respiratory distress. In the emergency department, she does not recall her name, address, or the events that led to her being in the hospital. When asked whether she'd want to be intubated if necessary, she shook her head "no" but was unable to repeat the question she was asked.

None of her family members can be reached, and there are no records from prior visits. While your team works hard to track down the family or an advance directive, you are thinking ahead about what you would do if the patient's condition worsened. If the patient were to suddenly develop respiratory failure and, from a clinical standpoint, require immediate intubation you would…