Pathophysiology Of ARDS Case Study

Because the PCO2 levels are too high the body is not getting the adequate amount of oxygen. This means the oxygen-carrying hemoglobin is not working properly do to the excessive amounts carbon dioxide causing respiratory acidosis.

Both rapid, shallow breathing patterns and hypoventilation effect gas exchange. Arterial blood gases will be monitored and changes discussed with provider. Alteration in PaCO2 and PaO2 levels are signs of respiratory failure. Patient’s body position will be properly aligned for optimum respiratory excursion, this promotes lung expansion and improved air exchange. Patient will be suctioned as needed to clear secretions and maintain patent airways. The expected outcome is that the patient’s airway and gas exchange will be maintained as evidence by normal arterial blood gases (Herdman,

The normal blood pH is between 7.35 and 7.45. Allen’s blood was acidotic due to a decrease in lung expansion and an alteration in the perfusion to his spinal cord. He also has an alteration in spinal innervation to the respiratory muscles including the phrenic nerve that controls the diaphragm. This would further cause Allen to not be able to adequately take in enough oxygen and blow off enough CO2 to adequately have gas exchange, within the alveoli. Respiratory failure.

ARDS is acute respiratory failure with persistent hypoxemia, decreased pulmonary compliance, dyspnea, noncardiac-associated pulmonary edema, and dense pulmonary infiltrates on the chest x-ray. The main site of injury within the lung is the alveolar-capillary membrane

How would his acid-base disorder be classified? What is the most likely cause of his polycythemia? Base on R.S’ laboratory results of pH=7.32, PaCO2=60mm Hg, PaO2=50mm Hg, HCO3-=30 mEq/L, he has partly compensated respiratory acidosis. Partly compensated respiratory acidosis means the patient’s pulmonary system cannot clear enough carbon dioxide from the body which leads to hypercapnia. Hypercapnia occurs when the partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide is greater than 45 mm Hg and pH less than 7.35 is acidosis. (Klower, 2011) When the patient’s breathing ventilation is compromised, perfusion, and diffusion this may cause respiratory acidosis. Since the pH of R.S. is not too low from normal and the higher CO2, then it means it’s partially compensated.

Patient F.F. is a 75-year-old female that arrived to the emergency room and admitted to the floor for left lobe pneumonia from an exacerbation from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD. Upon my assessment, the patient was short of breath and required 2 liters of oxygen by nasal cannula to prevent use of accessory muscles and loss of breath. Wheezes were present in the lower lobes of the lungs and breath sounds were diminished. The patient’s oxygen level was 95% on 2 liters of oxygen, but once the oxygen was removed, the oxygen level would drop down to 88%. A productive cough was present with green sputum. The patient reported feeling ‘weak’ and ‘unable to get around like [she] used to.’

Acute on chronic respiratory failure with severe hypoxemia can cause serious complications. The respiratory system is responsible for the bodies gas exchange of O2 and CO2. All the organs of the body need oxygen rich blood to function correctly. The lungs are a very delicate sponge like organ that consist of capillaries for oxygen transport and alveolar air-filled sacs. the patients have been exposed to a toxic inhalant chemical and has a history of tobacco use, this correlate with his current state of health. The patient was originally brought into an ER with his oxygen saturation at 51%, when he was stabilized he was brought to this facility.

Maca, J., Jor, O., Holub, M., Sklienka, P., Bur A, F., Burda, M., . . . Ev Ik, P. (2016). Past and present ARDS mortality rates: A systematic review. Respiratory Care, 62(1), 113-122. doi:10.4187/respcare.04716

Respiratory Acidosis- has two forms Acute and Chronic it is usually caused by other condition or disease such as Asthma, Pneumonia, COPD, and Sleep Apnea. With chronic respiratory acidosis the patient may be asymptomatic, however; acute clinical findings are but not limited to decrease in respiratory rate/volume, HA, drowsiness, confusion, and tremors. Treatment is usually oxygen and or mechanical

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is severe injury to the lungs. The alveoli and blood vessels in the lungs have been injured. This causes a decrease in oxygen in the blood and other parts of the body do not get enough oxygen to work accurately (Mancini, 2013). Usually acute respiratory distress syndrome happens after an acute lung injury in individuals who have no lung disease as a result of other conditions like sepsis, burns, pancreatitis, trauma, and transfusion. The mortality rate is around 60% (Ignatavicius, 2016).

R.S. has partially compensated respiratory acidosis. PaCO2 above the range of 36-44mmHg is consistent with acidosis and

If the pH is low and the pCO2 is high the patient has respiratory acidosis

Usuallyinsevereexacerbationof COPD,itisdifficult to perform respiratory function mainly because of inability and lack of cooperation by the patient,on the otherhandthereisnowaytoestimatehowlongattacks persist,or how long it is necessary to resuscitate.Some studies had showed a relationship between severity of disease and blood phosphorus levels (9). The lower phosphorus blood levels are, the more serious the disease is, however it is not clear enough if COPD patientsonrespiratoryventilationandwithhypophosphatemia need prolonged ventilation, this is the first study that showed a link between COPD and P. Abnormalities in serum phosphate levels are more prevalentincertainsubsetsof patients,suchaspatients with diabetic ketoacidosis, alcoholism, malignancies and renal failure. Multiple factors, including nutritional intake, medications, renal and intestinal excretion and cellular redistributions, are potential causes. Theclinicalmanifestationsof mildhypophosphatemia are typically minor and non-specific (myalgias, weakness, anorexia). However, when imbalance is severe, critical complications may occur such as tetany, seizures, coma, rhabdomyolysis, respiratory failure and ventricular tachycardia. Although hypophosphatemia has been only occasionally implicated as a cause of respiratory failure, its impact on respiratory muscle functioning in patients hospitalised for other reasons

ARDS (Acute Lung Distress Syndrome) is a condition where there are buildup of fluid in the tiny air sacs in the lungs that is known as alveoli. This condition will lead to less oxygenation to the body and its main organ such as the lungs,brain and heart, which is hazardous. ARDS occurs when there is important trauma that will affect the lungs by direct or indirectly. When something like this occurs our body response automatically and quickly where it releases many natural molecules into the bloodstream which is called inflammatory reaction. This inflammatory reaction is protective and will help us fight against infection or heal from any injury. However, there will be times where this inflammatory molecules go against which will lead the tiny

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome ARDS happens when the alveoli in the lungs builds up fluid. Consequently, the buildup of fluid in the alveolar sacs starts to deprive your body of oxygen. The less oxygen that is circulating through your body will result in your vital organs not getting an adequate amount of oxygen to function properly. Normally, individuals who develop ARDS already have some type of critical illness. The normal causes of ARDS differ subsequently, separating them into two separate categories: direct or indirect injuries to the lung. Some of the direct injuries include pneumonia, aspiration, and smoke inhalation from a house fire. Some of the indirect injuries would include sepsis, inflammation of the pancreas, and blood transfusions.