Hello,, thank you. My question is the patient in my case study has an asthama attack. He has cold extremities, .increasingly dyspneic. Heart rate increases to 125/bpm pulsus paradoxus increases to 30mm Hg. respiratory rate up to 35/min. breathing becomes more labored wheezing is loud throughout expiratory and inspiratory cycle. signs of early cyanosis become evident. No longer alert . ABG are 7.35, PaO2 = 45mm Hg and PaCO2=42mm Hg(40% oxygen by mask) What does this suggest?
Thanks for your question on Chat Doctor. I can understand your concern. The patient in question is having very severe asthma attack. Asthma causes bronchospasm. In this patient, due to severe bronchospasm, he is not taking enough oxygen. So he has to breathe rapidly. Bronchospasm is the cause for his wheezing. In ABG (arterial blood gas) analysis report, his oxygen saturation is very low. And this is the reason for early cyanosis (bluish discoloration if skin). If not treated promptly, this patient will go into respiratory failure with full-blown cyanosis and ultimately death. So he needs mechanical ventilation, inhaled bronchodilator and injectable steroids. Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.