You are working in the ED caring for a 55-year-old female with a long history of COPD. She is more short of breath today than usual and states she has an increased cough. She has a tympanic temperature of 99.8°F. You have drawn arterial blood gases with the patient on room air and when the report comes back, it shows that the patient has a pO₂ of 52 mmHg. Which of the following is most likely? A) You have inadvertently drawn a venous sample. B) The patient is critically hypoxic and requires assisted ventilation. C) This is the typical value for this patient. D) The lab performed the test incorrectly.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Patients with COPD often have chronically low pO2 levels due to impaired gas exchange, so a pO2 of 52 mmHg may be typical for this patient.

You Are Working in the ED Caring for a 55-Year-Old