Case 25. ??? PE

Question 1

Describe the gas exchange and acid base status:

RR 20 HR 98 Sats 99%. SOB. Recent surgery

PO2. 12.1
PCO2. 4.9
H+. 36. PH 7.43
HCO3. 26

Answer 1

Normal pulmonary gas exchange
Normal acid base balance

But she needs a CTPA. A normal gas does not exclude a PE. Her clinical picture is very suspicious.