OXYGEN

Scenario 2 Solution

A 59 year old female undergoes abdominal surgery. She is extubated and returned from the recovery room to the floor. She becomes moderately short of breath three hours later. The nurse applies a pulse-oximeter. Her SpO₂ is 89%. She treats the patient with 40% oxygen and calls you. When you arrive, the patient’s SpO₂ is 94%.

What is the cause of this patient’s hypoxemia and what is your plan of management?

This patient has atelectasis, presumably in the dependent regions of her lungs, as a result of anesthesia and surgery. This is manifesting itself as ventilation-perfusion abnormalities. The treatment is supplemental oxygen, chest physical therapy, and mobilization.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT VENTILATION PERFUSION RELATIONS

Copyright 2002 All rights reserved