Reference no: EM133347273

Case Scenario

A 10-year-old girl wrapped in a blanket was carried into her pediatrician's office. As the nurse prepared the child for the examination, he observed that the child was shivering (chills) and was holding the right side of her chest. The nurse also noted that her respirations were rapid (tachypnea) but shallow. The girl had a productive cough with blood-tinged sputum. Her temperature was 39.6°C and her pulse was 115/min. Oxygen saturation is 92% on pulse oximetry. On percussion of the thorax, the physician noted dullness over the right inferoposterior region of the child's chest. On auscultation, he noted diminished breath sounds on the right side and a pleural friction rub. When asked to describe the pain, the child stated it was a sharp, stabbing pain that became worse with deep inspiration, coughing, and sneezing. When asked where she felt pain, she pointed to the inferior part of her right chest, r umbilical area, and right shoulder. The physician requested a complete blood count, a sputum culture, and chest radiographs in both prone and upright positions.

Laboratory Report: The white blood cell count is elevated (leukocytosis) and many pneumococci were seen in the sputum.

Radiology Report: There is an area of consolidation (airless lung) in the posterior part of the base, or diaphragmatic surface, of the right lung. There is blunting of the right costodiaphragmatic angle. There is also a slight shift of the heart and other mediastinal structures to the right side.

Diagnosis: Pneumococcal pneumonia with parapneumonic effusion and pleuritis.

Question:

In the areas of lung consolidation seen on her X-Ray, what is the most likely Ventilation/Perfusion status? Explain your answer.