What immediate treatment should be provided for a patient exhibiting respiratory distress?

In cases of respiratory distress, the most immediate and critical intervention is the provision of supplemental oxygen and monitoring. When a patient exhibits signs of respiratory distress, it often indicates that their body is not getting enough oxygen. Administering supplemental oxygen helps to quickly alleviate this oxygen deficiency and can stabilize the patient by improving oxygen saturation levels in the blood.

Monitoring the patient at this stage is vital to assess the effectiveness of the oxygen supplementation and to watch for any changes in the patient's condition, which could indicate a worsening of their respiratory status. This vigilant approach allows for timely interventions and adjustments in treatment as necessary.

Other options, while relevant in certain contexts, do not provide the immediate support that oxygen therapy does. For example, oral rehydration therapy is beneficial for dehydration, not respiratory issues. Inhaled corticosteroids are used for conditions such as asthma exacerbations but are not immediate treatments for all cases of respiratory distress. Outpatient antibiotics would be indicated for specific infections but are not an immediate priority in addressing acute respiratory distress.