A 36-year-old, 5’5″ and 135 lb female patient with a history…
A 36-year-old, 5’5″ and 135 lb female patient with a history of asthma is admitted to the ICU from the emergency department. Her respirations are 42, very labored, severe distress noted with accessory muscle use and bilateral inspiratory and expiratory wheezing. There is bilateral hyperresonance during chest percussion. A blood gas taken in the ICU after 1 hour of continuous aerosolized albuterol (15 mg) reveals: ABG on 6L NC: pH 7.38 PCO 42 mm Hg P02 53 mm Hg HCO3 25 mEq/L Sa02 88% The most appropriate action at this time is which of the following?