If a patient with asthma has decreased breath sounds and a SaO2 of 86% after treatment, what should the nurse do?

In the context of a patient with asthma experiencing decreased breath sounds and low oxygen saturation (SaO2 of 86%), intubation is indicated as a potential life-saving intervention. Decreased breath sounds often suggest that airflow is severely compromised, which can occur in acute asthma exacerbations when bronchoconstriction, mucus plugging, or airway edema significantly limit ventilation. The critically low oxygen saturation further indicates that the patient is not adequately oxygenating, which can lead to respiratory failure.

Intubation may be necessary to secure the airway and provide adequate ventilation when non-invasive measures have failed or when the patient's respiratory status is rapidly deteriorating. In this situation, the patient's ability to breathe spontaneously may be inadequate, and intubation allows for direct control of the airway and mechanical ventilation, ensuring the patient receives sufficient oxygen and can have their carbon dioxide levels effectively managed.

While other options like nebulizer treatments, obtaining arterial blood gases (ABGs), or administering epinephrine can be important in the management of asthma, they may not be sufficient in this acute scenario where the patient presents with critical respiratory distress and significant hypoxemia. It is vital to act quickly in such cases, prioritizing airway management to prevent potential respiratory arrest or further complications.