lOMoARcPSD|25973474
COPD Group Paper - COPD Chamberlain College of
Nursing
Foundational Perspectives of Education (Western Governors University)
, Case Study/Health History
VS, a 62- year-old African- American female patient presented to Hermann Memorial’s
emergency department with severe dyspnea on exertion and edema of the lower extremities. She
reported that her breathlessness and coughing episodes had become mostly severe in the
preceding 2 weeks and was now at the point she could not stand or walk for more than 1-2
minutes without becoming fatigued. She is a 40 pack-year smoker and currently still smokes
cigarettes. She is not taking any medications and has no family history of asthma, allergy, or
cardiovascular disease. She claims to have never been treated by a physician.
Laboratory and Diagnostic Testing
Upon admission, the physician ordered labs and diagnostics test and labs to look for any
abnormalities in the patient’s condition. These labs and diagnostics included arterial blood
gases, basic metabolic panel, complete blood count, chest x-ray and pulmonary function test.
The patient’s vitals were 146/90, 101.2, 36, 116, and 84%. The arterial blood gasses results
include; PaO2: 41 mmHg; PCO2: 66 mm Hg; HC03: 24 meq/L, and pH: 7.26. The results show
respiratory acidosis, which is linked with COPD due to increase in CO2. The normal results for
ABGs include pH: 7.35-7.45, PCO2: 35-45 mm Hg, HCO3: 22-26 meq/L, PaO2: 80-100 mm Hg
and SpO2: 95-100%. Her abnormal basic metabolic panel results concluded that her potassium
was 5.6. The results for complete blood count include leukocyte (white blood cell count):
15,000/mm (5,000-10,000) and hematocrit: 46% (37-52). All other labs were within normal
ranges (Lewis, Dirksen, Heitkemper, & Bucher, 2014, p. 1084). In addition, the patient’s chest
x- ray results reveal hyperinflation of the lungs. Pulmonary function test result show FEV1/FVC
ratio of 50%. Normal levels 70%.
COPD Group Paper - COPD Chamberlain College of
Nursing
Foundational Perspectives of Education (Western Governors University)
, Case Study/Health History
VS, a 62- year-old African- American female patient presented to Hermann Memorial’s
emergency department with severe dyspnea on exertion and edema of the lower extremities. She
reported that her breathlessness and coughing episodes had become mostly severe in the
preceding 2 weeks and was now at the point she could not stand or walk for more than 1-2
minutes without becoming fatigued. She is a 40 pack-year smoker and currently still smokes
cigarettes. She is not taking any medications and has no family history of asthma, allergy, or
cardiovascular disease. She claims to have never been treated by a physician.
Laboratory and Diagnostic Testing
Upon admission, the physician ordered labs and diagnostics test and labs to look for any
abnormalities in the patient’s condition. These labs and diagnostics included arterial blood
gases, basic metabolic panel, complete blood count, chest x-ray and pulmonary function test.
The patient’s vitals were 146/90, 101.2, 36, 116, and 84%. The arterial blood gasses results
include; PaO2: 41 mmHg; PCO2: 66 mm Hg; HC03: 24 meq/L, and pH: 7.26. The results show
respiratory acidosis, which is linked with COPD due to increase in CO2. The normal results for
ABGs include pH: 7.35-7.45, PCO2: 35-45 mm Hg, HCO3: 22-26 meq/L, PaO2: 80-100 mm Hg
and SpO2: 95-100%. Her abnormal basic metabolic panel results concluded that her potassium
was 5.6. The results for complete blood count include leukocyte (white blood cell count):
15,000/mm (5,000-10,000) and hematocrit: 46% (37-52). All other labs were within normal
ranges (Lewis, Dirksen, Heitkemper, & Bucher, 2014, p. 1084). In addition, the patient’s chest
x- ray results reveal hyperinflation of the lungs. Pulmonary function test result show FEV1/FVC
ratio of 50%. Normal levels 70%.
