08-26-2009, 10:01 AM
A 26 year female is brought into the emergency department by ambulance for acute exacerbation of her asthma. She has been hospitalized in the past for her asthma and once was intubated. On exam her temperature is 37.8 degrees, BP 110/60 HR 110/bpm and she is breathing at 28 breaths/minute. She is in moderate distress and unable to talk in full sentences. Diffuse expiratory wheezes are heard throughout the lungs. An ABG is taken. Which of the following values would most likely signal a need for intubation?
A. PCO2 21
B. PCO2 28
C. PH 7.39
D. PH 7.54
E. PO2 94
A. PCO2 21
B. PCO2 28
C. PH 7.39
D. PH 7.54
E. PO2 94