Question

YOU MUST COMPLETE THIS TO PASS THIS CLASS.

Discussion Assignment: Referencing the ROME mnemonic listed below, prepare a factual submission article explaining the significance of the following lab results. Submit your results as your discussion contribution.

Mrs. Breathless is a 42 year old female, just getting off a late shift. She reports to the ER in the early morning with shortness of breath. After several test, the following results are confirmed: ABG (arterial blood gases) lab results are: pH=7.44, PaCO2 = 28, HCO3 = 24. Problems: PaCO2 is low, pH is on the high side of normal therefore compensate respiratory alkalosis, PaO2 is low probably due to mucous displacing air in the alveoli affected by the pneumonia.

Answer 1

Respiratory alkalosis is a medical condition in which increased respiration elevates the blood pH beyond the normal range (7.35–7.45) with a concurrent reduction in arterial levels of carbon dioxide. This condition is one of the four basic categories of disruption of acid–base homeostasis.main cause for this are Hyperventilation and Pulmonary disorder.

The PaCO2 is decreased indicating a respiratory alkalosis and the HCO3 is normal but on the low end of normal. The value consistent with the pH is the PaCO2. Therefore, this is a primary respiratory alkalosis.

(i mentioned here the main points)

In this case the solutions we can give are,

• Mrs.Breathless most likely has ARDS (Acute respiratory distress syndrome) along with her pneumonia.
• The alkalosis need not be treated directly. She is hyperventilating to increase oxygenation, which is incidentally blowing off CO2. Improve PaO2 and a normal respiratory rate should normalize the pH.
• High FiO2 can help, but if she has interstitial lung fluid, she may need intubation and PEEP, or a BiPAP to raise her PaO2
• Expect orders for antibiotics, and possibly steroidal anti-inflammatory agents.
• Chest physiotherapy and vigorous coughing or suctioning will help the patient clear her airways of excess mucous and increase the number of functioning alveoli.

If a PaO2 level is lower than 80 mmHg, it means that a person is not getting enough oxygen. A low PaO2 level can point to an underlying health condition, such as: emphysema. chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD