A respiratory therapist is performing trach care on a patien…

A respiratory therapist is performing trach care on a patient who is receiving PC ventilation. The therapist observes increasing heart rate, decreasing exhaled tidal volume, and increasingly distant breath sounds over the right chest.  The therapist should do which of the following?

A 63-year-old patient with COPD is seen in the pulmonary cli…

A 63-year-old patient with COPD is seen in the pulmonary clinic for a routine appointment.  The analysis results of an ABG sample drawn while the patient is breathing air are:   pH           7.40 PCO2        57 mm Hg PO2        42 mm Hg HCO3-        35 mEq/L BE        +8 mEq/L SO2 (calc)        77%   Which of the following is the most appropriate NEXT step?