Reference no: EM133444852

Patient Scenario

Mrs. Kent is a 52 year old female who presented to the ED with complaint of shortness of breath, tightness in the chest and lower extremity swelling. Mrs. Kent presented to the ED accompanied by family members per wheelchair. Patient is well groomed and is alert and oriented x 4. Patient has a history of MI. She has CHF, hypertension, and GERD. Mrs. Kent states she has been feeling fatigued for almost 2 weeks and it has been getting increasingly worse, On arrival, Mrs. Kent's? O2 saturation was 88% on room air, BP 162/104, respirations 28, labored and shallow, HR 50 bpm, and temperature of 99.8. Mrs. Kent is widowed and lives alone but has family members that check routinely check on her. She is a on a fixed income and relies on basic Medicaid for primary source of insurance. ABGs showed PH 7.29, PCO2 52, PO2 88, HCO3 22.

Questions:

1. What could be causing Mrs. Kent's SOB?

2. Is it possible Mrs. Kent's SOB increases with ambulation and walking? Does she have a history of smoking?

3. What could be done to assist Mrs. Kent with her elevated blood pressure?

4. What could be asked about Mrs. Kent's blood pressure medications?

5. Is Mrs. Kent getting to and from her Dr. appointments to follow up on her health issues?