10-19-2007, 10:31 AM
35 E
36The correct answer is
C. This patient has an acute exacerbation of her chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). On the basis of the history and physical examination, she would be expected to have a compensated respiratory acidosis because CO2 retention. Furthermore, she would be expected to have evidence of mild hypoxia.
With respirations of 24/min, which is high but not extremely high, she would not be expected to show the severe levels of acidosis and CO2 retention illustrated in choice
A.
The patient is sufficiently symptomatic that the near normal pO2 of 94 seen in choice B would be unlikely.
Although asthmatics may present during an acute exacerbation with a respiratory alkalosis (choices D and E), in a patient with underlying COPD, there is usually a baseline respiratory acidosis.
43 E
36The correct answer is
C. This patient has an acute exacerbation of her chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). On the basis of the history and physical examination, she would be expected to have a compensated respiratory acidosis because CO2 retention. Furthermore, she would be expected to have evidence of mild hypoxia.
With respirations of 24/min, which is high but not extremely high, she would not be expected to show the severe levels of acidosis and CO2 retention illustrated in choice
A.
The patient is sufficiently symptomatic that the near normal pO2 of 94 seen in choice B would be unlikely.
Although asthmatics may present during an acute exacerbation with a respiratory alkalosis (choices D and E), in a patient with underlying COPD, there is usually a baseline respiratory acidosis.
43 E