Case Studies


The following are examples of clinical situations and the ABGs that may result, as well as causes and solutions for ABG abnormalities.


Case 1

Mrs. Puffer is a 35-year-old single mother, just getting off the night shift. She reports to the ED in the early morning with shortness of breath. She has cyanosis of the lips. She has had a productive cough for 2 weeks. Her temperature is 102.2, blood pressure 110/76, heart rate 108, respirations 32, rapid and shallow. Breath sounds are diminished in both bases, with coarse rhonchi in the upper lobes. Chest X-ray indicates bilateral pneumonia.

Problems:

Solutions:


Case 2

Mr. Worried is a 52-year-old widow. He is retired and living alone. He enters the ED complaining of shortness of breath and tingling in fingers. His breathing is shallow and rapid. He denies diabetes; blood sugar is normal. There are no EKG changes. He has no significant respiratory or cardiac history. He takes several antianxiety medications. He says he has had anxiety attacks before. While being worked up for chest pain an ABG is done:

Problem:

Solution:


Case 3

You are the critical care nurse about to receive Mr. Sweet, a 24-year-old DKA (diabetic ketoacidosis) patient from the ED. The medical diagnosis tells you to expect acidosis. In report you learn that his blood glucose on arrival was 780. He has been started on an insulin drip and has received one amp of bicarb. You will be doing finger stick blood sugars every hour.

Problem:

Solution:


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