A postoperative patient complaining of dyspnea is found to have tachypnea and tachycardia,and is somewhat confused.Breath sounds reveal end inspiratory crackles in both lung bases.An arterial blood gas (ABG)is drawn and reveals the following: pH 7.49; P_aCO₂ 33 mm Hg; P_aO₂ 51 mm Hg; S_aO₂ 87%; HCO₃⁻ 25 mEq/L while on a 30% air entrainment mask.The most appropriate respiratory therapy intervention includes which of the following? A) Initiate noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV). B) Initiate continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) by mask. C) Administer bronchodilator therapy. D) Intubate and mechanically ventilate.

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This patient is showing signs and symptoms of hypoxemic respiratory failure due to postoperative atelectasis.This patient's PₐO₂/FᵢO₂ is below the critical value.Since the patient is still able to move air,intubation and mechanical ventilation,as well as noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV),are not appropriate at this time.This patient is not showing signs of increased work of breathing due to bronchospasm.Therefore,administering bronchodilator therapy is not appropriate.Initiating continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)by mask will help to reverse the atelectasis and improve the patient's oxygenation status.

A Postoperative Patient Complaining of Dyspnea Is Found to Have