If a patient shows signs of breathing difficulty and his skin appears blue and cool, what should you do even if the pulse oximeter reading seems normal?

Providing emergency oxygen based on the signs observed is the most appropriate action in this situation. When a patient exhibits signs of breathing difficulty along with blue and cool skin, it indicates that they may be experiencing oxygen deprivation, which could potentially lead to serious complications even if the pulse oximeter reading appears normal. Pulse oximeters measure the saturation of oxygen in the blood, but they can sometimes give misleading readings, especially in cases of poor circulation or other issues that affect blood flow.

In this scenario, the patient’s clinical signs outweigh the pulse oximeter result, and immediate intervention with oxygen is crucial to ensure that they receive sufficient oxygenation. This action can help stabilize the patient until further medical assistance arrives.

Other responses, such as simply observing the patient or calling for additional medical help without providing oxygen, may delay critical care and put the patient at greater risk. Administering CPR without oxygen is not appropriate because the patient is still breathing, albeit with difficulty, and CPR is reserved for cases of cardiac arrest where there is no pulse or breathing.