Emergency medical services
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This case presented the scenario of a patient who had severe bronchospasm from an unknown etiology. Further, she had difficulty speaking and denied any past medical history, which made a diagnosis more difficult. Prehospital providers were challenged with determining the differential diagnosis for bronchospasm and hypoxemia. ⋯ Focused prehospital management of CHF is aggressive in restoring oxygenation. For example, many agencies are now using oxygen, nitrates, ACE inhibitors and CPAP. By better understanding the pathophysiology of respiratory emergencies and their differential diagnosis, we will improve patient outcomes.