Shawn is a 43-year-old man who lives in the Midwest and is highly allergic to dust and pollen and has a history of mild asthma. Shawn's girlfriend drove him to the emergency room when his wheezing was unresponsive to his fluticasone/salmeterol (Advair) inhaler. Shawn was unable to lie down and began to use accessory muscles to breathe. Shawn is immediately started on 4 L oxygen by nasal cannula and intravenous (IV) D5W at 75 mL/hr. A set of arterial blood gases is sent to the laboratory. Shawn appears anxious and says that he is short of breath.
Vital signs (VS)
BP = 152/84 HR = 124 bpm RR = 42 Temp = 100.40F
Arterial Blood Gases (ABGs)
pH = 7.31 PaCO2 = 48 HCO3 = 26 PaO2 = 55
- What may be causing (etiology) Shawn to have an exacerbation of asthma?
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