Question

There is a 22 year-old female patient in E.R. You have been called down to do a cardiopulmonary assessment on her. She currently on a 50% venti-mask, SPO2= 84, RR-3, HR-155, breath sounds clear but decreased; no current history, patient is awake, but work of breathing seems to be high. Please list issues that might suggest that the patient may need mechanical ventilation. Abg has been done, = 7.31, CO2-59, PaO2-49, HCO3-23.
Does this patient need mechanical ventilation: Yes or No; why or why not _______? (1.5pt.)
If the patients’ needs MV what are the indication(s)__________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________; how will MV help the patient.  (2.5pts.)

Interpret the initial Abg (fully): (1pts.) ____________________________________________________.

Answer 1

The patient immediately needs mechanical ventilation because she is having bradypnoea(respiratory rate is 3).

The indication for MV

The patient's SPO2 is 84 % on 50% oxygen, she has severe tachycardia( heartrate is 155). Her ABG suggests carbon dioxide retention( PCO2 is 59), acidosis( PH- 7.31), decrease the partial pressure of oxygen which suggests impaired gaseous exchange( PaO2- 49)

Her ABG value indicate it is a respiratory acidosis due to carbon dioxide retention.

Conclusion- Mechanical ventilation can help in carbon dioxide washout and also increase the partial pressure of oxygen in the body, which can solve all these problems.