Handling the Whole Patient: A Case of Asthma Exacerbation

Blood Gas:

On 15L oxygen via non-rebreathe face mask

pH 7.47 (7.35-7.45)

pO₂ 20 kPa (11-14)

pCO₂ 3 kPa (4.5-6)

HCO₃- 22 mM (22-28)

Else normal

What else does this blood gas show?
(single best answer:)

Please answer each row

Well done, correct.

Feedback:

Although the pO₂ is higher than normal, it should be in the range of 45-50kPa when on 15l oxygen via non-rebreathe mask

Do not be fooled by the supra-normal pO₂
As mentioned above, this should be much higher when breathing a higher inspired oxygen content: in this case her inspired oxygen is 60%