A 36-year-old man is taken to the emergency department after a motorcycle accident. He is unconscious and unresponsive. ABGs obtained while the patient is receiving oxygen via a nonrebreathing mask show the following: PaO₂ = 48 mm Hg, PaCO₂ = 90 mm Hg, pH = 7.10, and HCO₃⁻ = 27 mEq/L. Which of the following would the therapist recommend?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Intubation and ventilation are recommended because the patient is unconscious and unresponsive, and the ABGs show severe respiratory acidosis (PaCO2 = 90 mm Hg) and metabolic acidosis (pH = 7.10, HCO3- = 27 mEq/L).

A 36-Year-Old Man Is Taken to the Emergency Department After