In the case of a 72-year-old female experiencing shortness of breath and being cyanotic, what should be administered?

In this scenario, the individual is a 72-year-old female with shortness of breath and cyanosis, which indicates a significant lack of oxygen. The appropriate intervention in such cases is to provide high-flow oxygen via a non-rebreather mask.

High-flow oxygen is essential because it delivers a high concentration of oxygen to the patient, which is crucial in cases of respiratory distress or hypoxia—conditions highlighted by her cyanosis. The non-rebreather mask is specifically designed for this purpose, as it can supply oxygen at a rate that supports patients with severe respiratory compromise.

While ventilation via a bag-valve mask is important in cases where the patient is unable to breathe adequately on their own, the scenario suggests that the primary issue is hypoxia, and the immediate focus should be on oxygenation. High-flow oxygen provides a rapid and effective means to address the cyanosis and improve the patient’s oxygen saturation levels.

In addition, oral medications and morphine are not suitable for immediate management of respiratory distress and would not address the urgent need for oxygenation. Therefore, administering high-flow oxygen via a non-rebreather mask is the most effective and appropriate response for this patient's condition.