Paramedics are treating an asthmatic patient with audible wheezing. How should they proceed when the patient wants to use her expired inhaler?

The most appropriate action in this scenario is to advise the patient to use paramedic's medication. Expired inhalers may lose potency and may not deliver the proper dose of medication needed in an acute asthma attack. Paramedics are trained to provide timely and effective treatment using approved medications that are current and properly dosed.

Administering the paramedic's medication ensures that the patient receives the most effective care, reducing the risk of complications associated with insufficient medication. Furthermore, paramedics have the ability to access and administer alternative bronchodilators or other emergency medications, which can be crucial in managing the patient's condition effectively.

While consultation with online medical control can be useful in complex situations, the immediate need in a case of respiratory distress would generally involve the administration of effective treatment rather than waiting for outside advice. Allowing the patient to use an expired inhaler could potentially exacerbate her condition if the medication is ineffective, and simply administering oxygen without following up with appropriate bronchodilator therapy may not address the underlying issue of bronchospasm.