A patient known to have advanced COPD has been hospitalized…
A patient known to have advanced COPD has been hospitalized and is receiving oxygen at 5 L/min to a simple face mask. It is noticed that she is becoming lethargic and her breathing more shallow. Her SpO2 reading is 98%. What should the respiratory therapist recommend be done at this time?
Read DetailsA hypotensive patient is spontaneously breathing room air wh…
A hypotensive patient is spontaneously breathing room air when an arterial blood gas sample is taken for analysis. The following values are found: pH 7.27 PaCO2 25 mm Hg PaO2 105 mm Hg HCO3– 12 mEq/L BE –12 mEq/L Based on this information, what best describes the patient’s condition?
Read DetailsA patient has shortness of breath on a 60% aerosol mask. The…
A patient has shortness of breath on a 60% aerosol mask. The following data are obtained: Pulse 112 b/min RR 34 b/min ABGs pH 7.27 PaCO2 53 mm Hg PaO2 68 mm Hg On the basis of this information, which of the following should be recommended at this time?
Read DetailsA 68-kg (150-lb) man with severe emphysema arrives in the em…
A 68-kg (150-lb) man with severe emphysema arrives in the emergency department with shortness of breath and is placed on a 28% air entrainment mask. ABG samples are drawn and the results are as follows: pH 7.34 PaCO2 82 mm Hg PaO2 43 mm Hg HCO3 40 mEq/L BE +14 mEq/L On the basis of this information, which of the following ABG levels should the respiratory therapist be most concerned about?
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