A patient is having a severe asthma attack. What blood gas results would indicate to the respiratory therapist and physician that the patient is having great difficulty?
1) Increased carbon dioxide level
2) Decreased carbon dioxide level
3) Increased pH
4) Decreased oxygen level
A)4
B)2, 3
C)1, 4
D)1, 3, 4

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In a severe asthma attack, the patient's airways become narrowed and it becomes difficult to exhale air. This leads to increased levels of carbon dioxide (option 1) in the blood and decreased levels of oxygen (option 4). Option 2 (decreased carbon dioxide level) and option 3 (increased pH) would not be seen in a severe asthma attack.

A Patient Is Having a Severe Asthma Attack