An 11-year-old male with cystic fibrosis is experiencing difficulty breathing and coughing up thick mucus. His vital signs show a SpO2 of 91% on room air. What should you do next?

In this scenario, the priority intervention for an 11-year-old male with cystic fibrosis who is experiencing difficulty breathing and has a low oxygen saturation (SpO2 of 91%) is to administer humidified oxygen. This approach is particularly effective in helping to alleviate respiratory distress in patients with cystic fibrosis, as these individuals often have thick mucus that obstructs airflow.

Humidified oxygen helps to moisten the airways, making it easier for the patient to clear mucus and improve their gas exchange. This not only supports oxygenation but also can reduce the likelihood of bronchospasm. By addressing the humidity in the respiratory system, it can aid in loosening the thick secretions characteristic of cystic fibrosis, resulting in more effective coughing and potentially improving the patient’s overall breathing.

While bronchodilators can be helpful in managing bronchospasm, the immediate need here is to provide moisture to help with the thick mucus. CPAP might be beneficial for certain types of respiratory failure but may not be the most appropriate initial step in this specific case. Assisting ventilation would be necessary if the patient could not maintain adequate breathing independently, but it is not the first response given the immediate problem of thick mucus and the slightly low oxygen saturation.