A patient is admitted to the emergency department with an acute asthma exacerbation. Based on the following blood gas results, how severe was the asthma attack?
pH 7.35, PaO2 58 mm Hg, PaCO2 46 mm Hg, HCO3? 18 mEq/L, SaO2 89%
a. Mild
b. Moderate
c. Severe
d. Normalized
ANS: C
A patient suffering an acute asthma attack usually has a low PaCO2 level as a result of hyperven-tilation. A normal PaCO2 level in such a situation indicates a severe attack and impending respir-atory failure.
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