10th January 2024

Mr Walters is an 85-year-old male with advanced COPD and dementia. He is thought to be in the final days

Mr Walters is an 85-year-old male with advanced COPD and dementia. He is thought to be in the final days of his life and is being cared for at home in bed. His family express concerns that his breathing has become ‘rattly’ over the past two days and are worried he is distressed. On examination, the patient is not rousable and doesn’t seem distressed, but on suctioning, profuse purulent sputum is removed. His family report that this isn’t normal for him. Apart from repositioning and regular suctioning as tolerated, which medication should be tried first to help with secretions?

Select the SINGLE most appropriate option from the list below. Select ONE option only.