A patient who has had surgery for an abdominal aortic aneurysm suffers from arrhythmias and hypotension after surgery. The physician asks for your recommendation for lung expansion therapy. The best choice in this situation would be
Read DetailsPostural drainage and percussion have been ordered for a patient with cystic fibrosis with right lower lobe atelectasis. While in the Trendelenburg position, the patient’s heart rate increases from 74 to 100 beats/min and the respiratory rate increases from 18 to 28 breaths/min. The patient becomes agitated and states, “I can’t breathe when my head is down.” The respiratory therapist should do which of the following?
Read DetailsA 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?
Read DetailsA 57-year-old patient with severe COPD enters the emergency department with shortness of breath. Room air ABG levels are as follows: pH 7.44 PaCO2 49 mm Hg PaO2 47 mm Hg HCO3 37 mEq/L BE +12 mEq/L Based on this information, which of the following is the most appropriate therapy?
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