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Respiratory Disorders (Expert Forum)
Diagnoses With COPD 2 Days Ago- Meaning of Blood Gas Results?- What Next?
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This forum is for questions and support regarding lung and respiratory issues such as: Allergies, Asthma, Bronchitis, Colds - Flu, Chronic Cough, COPD, Cystic Fibrosis, Emphysema, Fibrosis, Lung Abscess, Nasal Polyps, Pleurisy, Pneumonia, Sarcoidosis, Sinusitis, Tuberculosis.
Diagnoses With COPD 2 Days Ago- Meaning of Blood Gas Results?- What Next?
by BerrysGirl, Feb 17, 2007 12:00AM
I am writing on behalf of my husband who was admitted to the ER with difficulty breathing, cough, fever and rattling lungs. We left with a COPD dx due to chronic bronchitis.
He is 65 and smoked for 40 years. For the past 2 years he has been "short winded". He has not suffered chronic bronchitis. He's been very active managing the farm and his horses. He has great cholesterol levels. He is being treated for high blood pressure. He is disabled with a long-standing stress/panic disorder. He is also very thin. There is a family history of black lung disease and lung cancer.
His Blood Gasses were:
PO2 49.2 Normal: 74.0-180.0
O2 Sat 86.5 92.0-96.0
TCO2 20.3 23.0-33.0
Per the test results he was sent home with OXY 24/7 and a battery of meds.
What do PO2 and TCO2 stand for?
Are these measures indicative of a mild, medium or severe COPD? Is it possible that once the bronchitis abates he won't have to remain on Oxy 24/7? Meds?
When should he submit to the tests that measure pulminary function?
Is a GP qualified to treat this illness?
What medications should he have been prescribed?
Weight enhancers suce as Ensure indicated?
Fitness drinks such as Gatorade for dehydration?
He has been extremly tired- sleeping round the clock. He is periodically feverish and suffering breathing difficulties. I am trying to make him eat. Small meals several times a day.
Your help is tremendously appreciated!
Rita
Doctor's Answer
by National Jewish, Feb 22, 2007 12:00AM
, Feb 22, 2007 12:00AM
You have asked many reasonable questions. The O2 is the oxygen level and the CO2 is the level of carbon dioxide. The O2 is pretty low and the CO2 is OK. For someone who has this diagnosis and is given oxygen, I would suggest seeing a pulmonologist. A specialist can perform a lung function test and give the answers you are seeking.
