An arterial blood gas is drawn from a patient receiving 100% oxygen via mask. The patient’s respiratory rate is 30 breaths/minute with pronounced accessory muscle use. The blood gas results are as follows:
PH = 7.38
PaCO2 = 43
PaO2 = 59
HCO3 = 24
Based on this information, what should the respiratory therapist recommend?
- Humidify the oxygen
- Intubation and mechanical ventilation
- Add 6 LPM nasal cannula under mask
- Recheck ABG in 4 hours
Explanations
This patient has persistent hypoxemia and evidence of an increased work of breathing. Therefore, the patient requires intubation and mechanical ventilation.