http://survivingrtschool.disqus.com/enMon, 02 Feb 2009 11:58:27 -0000http://my-rt-life.blogspot.com/2009/01/one-for-record-books.html#comment-5777225<p>That's true. Well, this guy was/is currently a long time smoker, so his CO2 was probably normally around 60, maybe even higher. </p>myrtlifeMon, 02 Feb 2009 11:58:27 -0000http://my-rt-life.blogspot.com/2009/01/one-for-record-books.html#comment-5777039<p>Just this morning, a patient (not mine) has a PCO2 of 85. She's responsive to sternal rub only.<br>Amazing how some people differ.</p>Karin RNMon, 02 Feb 2009 11:54:13 -0000http://my-rt-life.blogspot.com/2009/01/one-for-record-books.html#comment-5719791<p>The craziest part, to me, is that he was on 10 of PEEP </p>myrtlifeFri, 30 Jan 2009 22:12:12 -0000http://my-rt-life.blogspot.com/2009/01/one-for-record-books.html#comment-5719699<p>170? Wow! That's CRAZY. I didn't know it was possible to sustain life with a PaCO2 that high. Totally cool that he is at home on O2 now... that is exactly why I want to become a respiratory therapist.</p><p>I'm really not certain the outcome of this patient. Last thing I remember before I left that morning was he was refusing intubation until his son made the decision for him. I know he (obviously) went back on BiPAP while in the unit, but am unsure of what happened after that.</p>myrtlifeFri, 30 Jan 2009 22:05:58 -0000http://my-rt-life.blogspot.com/2009/01/one-for-record-books.html#comment-5709807<p>Just worked on a patient 2 weeks ago who had a PCO2 of 170...I thought I messed up the ABG but couldn't figure out how...so when I ran it again it came back 170. The patient was very sleepy (no kidding eh?). We were on BiPAP and eventually had to intubate, amazingly the patient is at home now on Home O2. </p>HelpfulguyFri, 30 Jan 2009 16:58:47 -0000http://my-rt-life.blogspot.com/2009/01/one-for-record-books.html#comment-5629683<p>We've got a couple of frequent fliers who have co2's like that. It always amazes me.</p>SarahWed, 28 Jan 2009 18:21:57 -0000http://my-rt-life.blogspot.com/2009/01/one-for-record-books.html#comment-5568043<p>I've seen patients like that. Worked at a place once with a chronic patient who would scream for BiPAP with a PaCO2 in the 120's. I can still hear him: "Can't breathe! BiPAP!"<br></p>keepbreathingMon, 26 Jan 2009 23:02:41 -0000http://my-rt-life.blogspot.com/2009/01/one-for-record-books.html#comment-5564558<p>Wild! </p>anniec898Mon, 26 Jan 2009 19:31:13 -0000http://my-rt-life.blogspot.com/2009/01/one-for-record-books.html#comment-5538846<p>Heh heh.. good one.<br>It's amazing what you'll see.</p>Strong OneSun, 25 Jan 2009 18:29:24 -0000http://my-rt-life.blogspot.com/2009/01/one-for-record-books.html#comment-5532151<p>I work at a long term rehab facility and have a patient who was talking out of his head... upon assessing further, ABG was pH 7.10, PaCO2 121. He was responsive (although not well). Patient was already trach'd and was on CPAP... switched him to A/C with a rate of 18. Shockingly he turned out just fine :) </p>BeachRTSun, 25 Jan 2009 12:30:17 -0000http://my-rt-life.blogspot.com/2009/01/one-for-record-books.html#comment-5529055<p>wow, that is impressive. I had one the other day with a ph of about 6.8 but that was during a code</p>marcusSun, 25 Jan 2009 04:30:56 -0000http://my-rt-life.blogspot.com/2009/01/one-for-record-books.html#comment-5527665<p>Wow!</p>HollySun, 25 Jan 2009 01:03:55 -0000