Week 1 - Blood Gases, Intubation and Oxygen Therapy

Question 1

What are the acceptable ranges for:
pH
PaCo2
PaO2
HCO3
BE

Answer 1

pH. 7.38-7.42
PaCO2 38-42
Pa02 - 85-100
HCo3 - 22-26
BE +/- 2

Question 2

What affects PaO2 in a normal person?

6 points

Answer 2

Atmospheric pressure
Fi02
FRC a.k.a low surface area
Age
Lung disease i.e. fibrotic changes in the interstitium
Usage/transport problem

Question 3

Why might a patient be intubated?

4 points

Answer 3

Protect airway patency
Risk of aspiration
Allow suction
For ventilatory support

Question 4

What are the reasons from trachoestomy?

3 points

Answer 4

Long term ventilation
Stop damage to vocal cords
Part of weaning

Question 5

What are some methods for increasing PaO2?

2 points

Answer 5

• Increase SA (PEEP, CPAP)

- Increase diffusion (oxygen therapy)

Question 6

What are some of the dangers and complications of O2 therapy?

Answer 6

• Oxygen induced atelectasis
• Fire
• O2 drive to breath in COPD
• Hyperoxia induced vasodilation in pulmonary arteries

Question 7

Why do we put patients on CPAP/PEEP?

3 points

Answer 7

• Increase SA by holding alveoil open at the end of expo
• Increase fresh air reaching alveoli by keeping smaller airways open
• Holding alveoli open allows pores of Kohn to work, increasing the number of alveoli participating in gas exchange.