Which of the following patients would be the best candidate for treatment with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)?

The best candidate for treatment with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is a patient who is conscious, experiencing labored breathing, displaying anxiety, and exhibiting coarse crackles.

This profile indicates that the patient is alert enough to tolerate CPAP, which requires cooperation to ensure the mask fits properly and the therapy is effective. The presence of labored breathing and anxiety suggests that the patient is experiencing significant respiratory distress, making CPAP a suitable intervention as it can help to improve airway patency, enhance oxygenation, and reduce the work of breathing.

Coarse crackles can indicate fluid in the lungs or other pulmonary issues, which CPAP can help to alleviate by providing positive pressure to keep the airways open, reducing the effort required to breathe, and improving overall oxygen exchange. Thus, this scenario aligns well with the intended use of CPAP in managing patients with respiratory distress who are still conscious and cooperative.