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Deteriorating COPD Patient

AdvancedRespiratory Care

Educational Use Only. This app is not intended to replace instructor guidance, institutional policies, clinical judgment, or professional medical training.

Clinical Scenario

Mrs. Patel, a 72-year-old female with COPD, was admitted 2 days ago for an exacerbation. She has been on 2L oxygen via nasal cannula. You notice she has become increasingly confused over the last 30 minutes. Her respiratory rate is 32, SpO2 is 88% on 2L, and she is using accessory muscles. ABG from 2 hours ago showed pH 7.34, PaCO2 58, PaO2 62.

S

Situation

Identify yourself and report the acute change — increased confusion and respiratory distress in a COPD patient.

B

Background

Include admission diagnosis, length of stay, baseline oxygen, current respiratory status, and recent ABG results.

A

Assessment

Explain what you think is happening — CO2 retention leading to respiratory failure, and what signs support this.

R

Recommendation

Request urgent evaluation, specify what you need (provider at bedside, possible BiPAP, repeat ABG), and state the timeframe.

Educational Use Only — Not a substitute for professional training.