ST Thomas University Pulmonary Function and Severity of DR Asthma Attack Discussion

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Ramos, Kevin Ernesto

Nov 5, 2020 at 14:29

Case Study 1

Pulmonary Function

1. The Severity of D.R. Asthma Attack

According to asthma therapists, asthma can be mild, moderate, or bordering. According to this case study, D.R. has been feeling asthmatic symptoms; he has been testing himself for three days with albuterol nebulizer therapy. He says that the albuterol inhaler assisted him from experiencing severe asthma symptoms. Therefore, the severity of his asthma attack is moderate.

1. Most Common Triggers for Asthma

The most triggers to asthma include positive family history, exposure to allergens, exposure to occupational triggers, recurrent respiratory viral infections, prematurity, and low birth weight, residence in a large urban center, exposure to air [pollution of cigarette smoke, GE reflux disease, and certain allergic diseases such as hay fever, eczema (Katz et al., 2018)

1. Factors that Might be the Etiology of D.R. Being an Asthmatic Patient

According to this case study, the factors that might be the etiology of D.R. being an asthmatic patient in the Family Care Clinic include; 27-year-old male complains about increasing SOB, wheezing, fatigue, cough, stuffy nose, watery eyes, and postnasal drainage that started in the past four days. These are symptoms of asthma. The man continues to explain that he severally monitored his peak flow rates daily in the last three days. The peak flow ranged between 65-70%, in which every morning, it begins at a lower limit.

Case Study 2

Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Homeostasis

1. The Type of Water and Electrolyte Imbalance According to Laboratory Values

According to the laboratory results, Mr. Brown has a Hypertonic imbalance in which high solute ECF concentration from water loss is noticed. In her case, water is being shifted from intercellular space to extracellular space. MS Brown has decreased water intake, resulting in hypernatremia because her level is above 145 mEq/l. additionally, her glucose levels are too high, and. Ms. Brown also has mild hyperkalemia and slightly high serum chloride levels.

1. Signs and Symptoms of Diabetes Mellitus

Ms. Brown is likely to have diabetes mellitus, including; fever, weight loss, tachycardia, agitation, convulsions, flushed skin, restlessness, weak pulse, dry mouth, and skin, decreased urine output, thirst, and altered cognitive function. (Milani et al., 2017)

1. Appropriate Treatment for Ms. Brown

In this case, the appropriate treatment is administering an isotonic fluid that doesn’t have salt, such as D5W, to the patient. The fluid is administered consistently until the serum sodium levels return to normal. However, clinical practitioners prefer using the Hypotonic sodium solution since it is thought to be safer than D5W. Hypotonic sodium solution gradually reduces the serum sodium level and decreases the risk of cerebral edema. The solution is most preferable in case of severe hyperglycemia, which Ms. Brown has with hypernatremia.

1. What does the ABGs from Mr. Brown Indicate?

In this case, Ms. Brown ABG’S indicate that she has metabolic acidosis since her pH level appears to be below 7.35. The paCO2 is reduced compared to its normal from the body compensating with her breathing (Milani et al., 2017). Also, her HCO3-is lesser than 24 mEq/l. Therefore, herb PaO2 indicates that she is hypoxemic because, according to the values, her level is 70, which is below 80 mmHg.

1. Anion Gap and Its Clinical Significance

An anion gap is a measurement or blood test done to check the levels of acid in the blood. Anion gap test is based on another test blood called electrolyte panel. There are positively charged and negatively charged electrolytes. The difference or the gap between them is realized by conducting anion gap measurements; hence, a high union gap reflects a condition called metabolic acidosis, meaning that the blood’s acidity level is increased.

References

Katz, S., Arish, N., Rokach, A., Zaltzman, Y., & Marcus, E. L. (2018). The effect of body position on pulmonary function: a systematic review. BMC pulmonary medicine, 18(1), 1-16.

Milani, G. P., Grava, A., Bianchetti, M. G., Lava, S. A., Teatini, T., & Fossali, E. F. (2017). Electrolyte and acid-base abnormalities in infants with community-acquired acute pyelonephritis: Prospective cross-sectional study. Nephron, 137(2), 99-104.