Published
Due to hyperventilation the patient will present in respiratory alkalosis. Hypoxemia may be masked by the hyperventilation so normal values do not necessarily rule out PE.
True, one should always look at the patient as well. He may not have hypoxia but is breathing 50 breaths a minute to maintain an adequate saturation. :)
twarlik
573 Posts
What would the ABGs of someone who had a pulmonary embolism look like? I know that the O2 would be down and HCO3 would be normal, but what is going on with the CO2? With PE, do patients hyperventilate and start blowing off CO2 or are they going to retain it?
I'm having a difficult time wrapping my mind around this and hope that one of you kind people could help.
Thanks. :)