03-10-2007, 10:21 PM
A 65-y.o female underwent a hip replacement 2 days ago for fracture neck femur. On the 3 postoperative day, she suddenly became anxious, dyspneic and tachycardia. She has a history of anxiety and she takes lorazepam as needed. Her vital signs: BP 100/50, PR 120/min, RR 36/min, she is afebrile. She is saturating 84% on 6 lit oxygen. Lung exam is unremarkable. The X-ray did not reveal any gross abnormalities. The next most appropriate step would be:
A) Obtain ABG
B) order intubation
C) order extremities venogram
D) order a V/Q scan
E) give IV lorazepam
A) Obtain ABG
B) order intubation
C) order extremities venogram
D) order a V/Q scan
E) give IV lorazepam