Acute Respiratory Failure Management

A 75-year-old male is admitted to the hospital with pneumonia. He has a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and a previous myocardial infarction. Due to his age and the extent of his respiratory compromise, he is at a higher risk for developing complications during his hospital stay. As part of the nursing assessment, the nurse should monitor for signs of acute respiratory failure, which can manifest in various ways.

During your assessment, you note that the patient has increased respiratory rate, accessory muscle use, and increased anxiety. The nurse recognizes that these could be early indications of acute respiratory failure, which can lead to significant morbidity if not addressed promptly.

Fill in the blank with the most appropriate term to describe the critical management decision the nurse must consider to prevent the potential complication of acute respiratory failure: "The nurse should prioritize the initiation of _____________ to provide adequate oxygenation and ventilation for the patient."