Final answer:
Documentation in the medical record plays a role in determining the appropriate DRG for a patient with an acute exacerbation of COPD. The option that indicates a severe exacerbation requiring intubation and mechanical ventilation for more than 96 hours is likely to result in a higher-paying DRG.
Step-by-step explanation:
The patient's record reveals that they were admitted with an acute exacerbation of COPD (MS-DRG 192). If documentation is present in the record at the time the decision was made to admit the patient that confirms a diagnosis associated with their condition, a higher-paying DRG may be appropriate. In this case, the options given are:
- Angina was treated with nitroglycerin prn for chest pain
- Atrial fibrillation and underwent a cardioversion while hospitalized
- Blood gases of pO2 of 58, pCO2 of 55, pH of 7.32 upon admission and treated with intubation and mechanical ventilation for more than 96 hours
- Anemia and was given a blood transfusion
Based on the information provided, option 3 is the most likely to result in a higher-paying DRG, as it indicates a severe exacerbation of COPD requiring intubation and mechanical ventilation for an extended period of time.