That WAS PCP as in the drug PCP, yes?
If pts' not violent and amenable to it, or restrained properly and safely, Paper bag over the nose and mouth. Re-breathe to raise the CO2 level will lower resp. rate and BP and slow him down.
OOPS! now I see PCP is some sort of class or Canadian classification for medic.
. Still, the rapid resp. rate does indicate chest pain and BP is from an anxiety response leading to an OD on oxygen.
QUOTE by firetender
. Still, the rapid resp. rate does indicate chest pain and BP is from an anxiety response leading to an OD on oxygen.
OD on Oxygen with a Sat rate of 88%? Most of the anxiety pt's I see sat at 99 - 100
pt was hyperventalating considered that to be normal with CP.
This is very true. However, sometimes you have to form a differential diagnosis with the limited information you have. The tachypnea with the low spo2 could be a recipe for a PE. Could be many other things as well. I had a patient like this not long ago. PE never crossed my mind, but later I followed up and that's what it was.Hyperventilation can only be diagnosed with an Jumping to conclusions before all of the assessment is done can skew the rest of the exam. Treat the symptoms to see what the response is and go from there.
This is very true. However, sometimes you have to form a differential diagnosis with the limited information you have. The tachypnea with the low spo2 could be a recipe for a PE. Could be many other things as well. I had a patient like this not long ago. PE never crossed my mind, but later I followed up and that's what it was.
Agreed. My only point was that you make the best diagnosis with what information you have until you can learn more. As I said, could be many other things.And now PE will stick in your mind.
There are about 102 other diagnosis that can fit the same recipe. I've got 15 different ones today on my service complete ABGs with a wide range of PaCO2s, RRs in the 30s or 40s, SpO2s all over the map and a variety of pulmonary, GI, neuro and cardiac diseases. But, then, keepin' them breathin' is my specialty. It's just when every other system begs for attention also, you have to focus on the whole body. None of these patients fit nicely into just one line on the care plan. If would be great if everything did fit into those few diseases learned in the paramedic text.