A 28 year old obese female presents to your ED with shortness of breath. She is a known asthmatic with three previous hospital admissions for her asthma.
She complains of a sore throat and is currently on a course of amoxicillin from her GP.
Her Vitals signs:
RR 30/min
T 37.4 Celsius
PR 120/min
A venous gas shows:
pH 7.522
CO2 25 (35-45 mmHg)
HCO3 20.5 (22+/- 2 mmol/l
BE -1.7
Hb 133
Na 146 (137-145 mmol/l)
K 3.6 (3.5-5 mmol/l)
Cl 90 (99-111 mmol/l)
Glucose 5.6 (4-6 mmol/l)
Lactate 3.1 (<2)
Questions:
1. Describe the abnormalities
2. Interpret your finding
3. What are the poor prognostics features for acute asthma?
4. What factors would affect your disposition decision?