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CASE STUDY: Will is an 18-year-old track athlete in seemingly good health. Despite suffering from a slight cold, Will went jogging one morning with his running buddy, Al. After a few minutes of exercise, Will could hardly get enough air. Even though he stopped jogging, he continued to breathe rapidly and wheeze forcefully. Because his condition was not improving, Al took him to the emergency room of a nearby hospital.

Using a stethoscope, the emergency room doctor discovered that air movement in Will's lungs was poor. In addition, an arterial blood gas measurement revealed that Will had a PO2 of 60 mm Hg and a PCO2 of 30 mm Hg. Although Will had no previous history of asthma, the emergency room doctor was convinced he was having an asthma attack.

Asthma is a clinical condition characterized by airway inflammation that episodically results in shortness of breath, coughing, and wheezing due to bronchoconstriction. Bronchoconstriction decreases compliance, which makes expansion of the lungs more difficult. An asthma attack can be provoked by a viral infection, exercise, or exposure to environmental irritants, such as pollen or cigarette smoke.

1. Are Will's arterial blood gas values above or below normal?

2. Why did the asthma attack cause Will to breathe more rapidly and wheeze forcefully?

3. Explain Will's blood PO2 and PCO2 values.

4. Is Will's blood pH lower or higher than normal? What effect does this blood pH normally have on respiration rate? Why didn't that happen?

Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Are you a nursing or respiratory therapy student?

What help do you need? This is a cut and paste of a case study. For members to help and guide you try and answer the questions so we see where you are at then we can help and guide you in the right direction. We can't do the work for you

CASE STUDY: Will is an 18-year-old track athlete in seemingly good health. Despite suffering from a slight cold, Will went jogging one morning with his running buddy, Al. After a few minutes of exercise, Will could hardly get enough air. Even though he stopped jogging, he continued to breathe rapidly and wheeze forcefully. Because his condition was not improving, Al took him to the emergency room of a nearby hospital.

Using a stethoscope, the emergency room doctor discovered that air movement in Will's lungs was poor. In addition, an arterial blood gas measurement revealed that Will had a PO2 of 60 mm Hg and a PCO2 of 30 mm Hg. Although Will had no previous history of asthma, the emergency room doctor was convinced he was having an asthma attack.

Asthma is a clinical condition characterized by airway inflammation that episodically results in shortness of breath, coughing, and wheezing due to bronchoconstriction. Bronchoconstriction decreases compliance, which makes expansion of the lungs more difficult. An asthma attack can be provoked by a viral infection, exercise, or exposure to environmental irritants, such as pollen or cigarette smoke.

1. Are Will's arterial blood gas values above or below normal?

2. Why did the asthma attack cause Will to breathe more rapidly and wheeze forcefully?

3. Explain Will's blood PO2 and PCO2 values.

4. Is Will's blood pH lower or higher than normal? What effect does this blood pH normally have on respiration rate? Why didn't that happen?

Which question did you need help with or what is it you need help understanding? what do you think the answers are to these questions, maybe then we can help you. have to know what your trouble is first!

Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.

1) Look up a normal ABG.

2) Look up the pathophysiology of asthma.

3) Said pathophysiology should help with this answer.

4) Info doesn't say what his pH was, but what are the two buffers our body uses to keep pH between 7.35-7.45? If either of them are abnormal, that's a hint. If neither are, that's also a hint.

Specializes in Prior military RN/current ICU RN..

cutting and pasting a question to a board is not how this works. There may be people on here to help guide you a bit, but you can't just expect an answer. And even if someone DOES Answer it you better verify you have the right answer. If you asked what 4 + 4 = I could say 10. Doesn't mean it is correct. Good luck.

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