Heart failure and COPD
Directions pH: 7.30PaCO2: 58 mm HgPaO2: 78 mm HgHCO3: 26 mEq/L
Sarah is a 69-year-old female that presented to the emergency department with shortness of breath. Her past medical history includes heart failure and COPD. Her pulse oximetry on room air is 82%. You notify the provider, and he orders oxygen at 2 L via nasal cannula NC. Sarah’s chest x-ray reveals bilateral pneumonia. Her arterial blood gas result is below:
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.


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