Reference no: EM132436644

What are the pertinent lab values that you would request to have a complete information on the patient before you plan the nutrition intervention? Explain why you would need those labs.

The patient was admitted 17 days ago with severe pneumonia with a history of COPD. He was placed on a ventilator shortly after admission due to severe respiratory distress. When he was being weaned from the ventilator, he experienced difficulty protecting his airway and developed respiratory distress with further complications. A tracheostomy was then placed with the anticipation of prolonged ventilator support. The patient was able to be weaned from the ventilator and extubated after approximately 2 weeks of ventilator support. He has been stable with the use of oxygen via trach collar. The patient has been progressing as anticipated. His hospital course consisted of arrival to the emergency room with an inpatient admission to the medical surgical unit. With acute deterioration he was transferred to the ICU. Two weeks later he was transferred to the Step-down unit of the hospital. The patient has now been transferred to the medical-surgical unit. Patient was diagnosed with emphysema 10 years ago. He has not smoked in 15 years.