A 44-year-old man arrives at the emergency department complaining of sudden shortness of breath that began a few hours ago. He suffered a crush injury last week when a motorcycle ran over his left foot, and he has been immobilized due to pain since then. The patient consumes alcohol on occasion but does not use tobacco or illegal drugs. The temperature is 36.1 degrees Celsius (97 degrees Fahrenheit), the blood pressure is 118/76 mm Hg, the pulse is 102/min, and the respirations are 28 per minute. The BMI is 37 kg/m2². Physical examination reveals that the heart rhythm is regular, with normal S1 and S2 waves. Auscultation of the lungs reveals that they are clear on both sides. When compared to last week, the dorsum of his left foot has resolving ecchymoses and swelling. he right calf is swollen and tender. Which of the following arterial blood gas values are most likely to be present in this patient?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eductional Objective: The presence of calf swelling, a history of prolonged immobility, and sudden onset dyspnea all point to acute pulmonary embolism (PE). PE is characterized by hypoxemia as a result of a ventilation/perfusion mismatch and acute respiratory alkalosis (hypocapnia) as a result of hyperventilation.

A 44-Year-Old Man Arrives at the Emergency Department Complaining of Sudden