Sarah is a 69-year-old female that presented to the emergency department with shortness of breath. Her past medical history includes anxiety and PTSD. Her pulse oximetry on room air is 82% and she complains of numbness in her fingers. You notify the provider, and he orders oxygen at 2 L via nasal canulla NC. Sarah’s chest x-ray reveals no abnormalities. Her arterial blood gas result are below:
pH: 7.40
PaCO2: 28 mm Hg
PaO2: 78 mm Hg
HCO3: 26 mEq/L
Sarah is admitted to a general medical floor. You are the nurse assigned to Sarah.
What potential problems can occur based on the above findings?
How would you provide multidimensional care for Sarah?
Describe the roles of other departments in Sarah’s treatment plan.
