Author Question: Which of the following is the cardinal sign of increased work of breathing? a. Hyperventilation ... (Read 18 times)

shenderson6 · **on:** Jul 16, 2018

Which of the following is the cardinal sign of increased work of breathing?

a. Hyperventilation
b. Retractions
c. Bradycardia
d. Tachypnea

Question 2

Mr. Adam is in the ICU on an FiO2 of 100. An arterial blood gas reveals the following infor-mation: pH of 7.18, PaCO2 of 59 mm Hg, PaO2 of 65 mm Hg, HCO3 of 24 mEq/L What action would you recommend?

a. Provide ventilatory support.
b. Put patient on steroids.
c. Give patient chest PT.
d. Put patient on CPAP.

pallen55 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 16, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: D
Tachypnea is the cardinal sign of increased work of breathing.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A
The patient is in hypoxic (type I) and hypercapnic (type II) acute respiratory failure. Providing full mechanical ventilatory support will provide the ventilator support needed to normalize pH and improve oxygenation.