Reference no: EM133270987
Assignment:
Jane Doe, a 49-year-old female, with a history of heavy tobacco use, has been suffering from a respiratory viral infection over the last few weeks and her roommate reports that she has been using her nebulizers quite heavily. Despite this, Jane also has continued to smoke quite heavily. The patient's roommate said that the patient was in her room and called out to her - when she went in to check on her, Jane was coughing, looked pale and cyanosed (lips were bluish), and breathless. The roommate immediately contacted EMS. Upon arrival, the paramedics noticed that Joe had bronchospasm with profound difficulty with air entry, wheezing, rapid and labored breathing and tachycardia. She was taken to the ER, admitted and treated with bronchodilators and steroids and eventually recovered. Based on the above information:
1. What is/are the possible diagnosis in this case?
2. What could have possibly precipitated the condition?
3. What is the pathophysiology of this condition?
4. What possible acid-base imbalance could you expect in this condition?
5. How would the pulmonary function tests look like in this condition?