A 70-year-old male with chronic hypoxic and hypercapnic resp…

A 70-year-old male with chronic hypoxic and hypercapnic respiratory failure secondary to COPD is intubated for COPD exacerbation for the last 3 days. The patient has been on pressure support for 2 hours and the blood gas shows pH 7.35/pCO2 80 mmHg/pO2 60 mmHg/CO2 35 mmol/L. The patient is awake and following commands. His endotracheal secretions are moderate, and his cough reflex is weak. His RSBI is 85. What is the next step?

A 59-year-old male presents with complaints of chest tightne…

A 59-year-old male presents with complaints of chest tightness and shortness of breath. He has a medical history of CAD, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. Family history is positive for CAD, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and asthma. His vital signs are: heart rate 110, blood pressure 189/106, respiratory rate 28, and SpO2 96%. On exam the AG-ACNP appreciates bilateral expiratory wheezes, but no rubs, gallops, or murmurs. Capillary refill time is less than 3 seconds. Which medication should be avoided until asthma has been ruled out?

The AG-ACNP is preparing to intubate a 33-year-old male. Bef…

The AG-ACNP is preparing to intubate a 33-year-old male. Before the intubation the AG-ACNP examines the patient’s airway for a Mallampati score to help predict for a difficult intubation. The AG-ACNP knows that which of the classifications predicts a difficult in intubation: