Hi All, I'm a Paramedic student and trying to answer the following question but getting myself all confused. Can anyone help please it needs to be in by tomorrow :blush:
A colourless, odourless gas essential for the production of cellular energy that constitutes 21% of the atmosphere.
A noted possible side effect is, ‘hypoventilation in some COAD patients with hypoxic drive’
Assume an averaged sized adult patient is breathing oxygen from a non-re-breathing mask is receiving approximately 90% O2.
4.1 What would be the approximate partial pressure of alveolar oxygen be at sea level (760 mmHg)?
This patient begins hypoventilating while receiving 90% O2. Assume that the patient’s tidal volume (Vt) has now decreased to half.
4.2 What is the approximate Vt for this patient at half the normal value?
Assume this patient’s initial SPO2 increased from 83% to 98% following supplemental oxygen therapy.
4.3 Would you expect the patient’s SPO2 to decrease with half the normal VT?
Please explain your answer:
This patient becomes drowsy and begins to lose consciousness although all other observations remain normal.
4.4 What is the most likely cause?
a. Increasing arterial CO2 due to hypoventilation causing a narcotic effect and therefore a decreasing conscious level.
b. Decreasing arterial O2 causing cerebral hypoxia and therefore lowered conscious level.
A colourless, odourless gas essential for the production of cellular energy that constitutes 21% of the atmosphere.
A noted possible side effect is, ‘hypoventilation in some COAD patients with hypoxic drive’
Assume an averaged sized adult patient is breathing oxygen from a non-re-breathing mask is receiving approximately 90% O2.
4.1 What would be the approximate partial pressure of alveolar oxygen be at sea level (760 mmHg)?
This patient begins hypoventilating while receiving 90% O2. Assume that the patient’s tidal volume (Vt) has now decreased to half.
4.2 What is the approximate Vt for this patient at half the normal value?
Assume this patient’s initial SPO2 increased from 83% to 98% following supplemental oxygen therapy.
4.3 Would you expect the patient’s SPO2 to decrease with half the normal VT?
Please explain your answer:
This patient becomes drowsy and begins to lose consciousness although all other observations remain normal.
4.4 What is the most likely cause?
a. Increasing arterial CO2 due to hypoventilation causing a narcotic effect and therefore a decreasing conscious level.
b. Decreasing arterial O2 causing cerebral hypoxia and therefore lowered conscious level.
