Question

A 73-year-old patient was admitted with severe respiratory distress secondary to pneumonia. She has a long history of smoking, which she recently stopped. Upon arrival she was placed on continuous pulse oximetry, and an endotracheal tube was inserted for mechanical ventilation. She is heavily sedated. This patient is at risk for airway occlusion.

A. True
B. False

Answer 1

A 73-year-old patient with severe respiratory distress secondary to pneumonia and a history of smoking is indeed at risk for airway occlusion, especially while sedated and intubated for mechanical ventilation.

Step-by-step explanation:

The 73-year-old patient who was admitted with severe respiratory distress secondary to pneumonia is at risk for airway occlusion. This is particularly because the patient is sedated and intubated for mechanical ventilation; both factors can contribute to the risk of occlusion. The extensive history of smoking can further compromise the patient's airways, as smoking damages the ciliated epithelial cells and impairs mucociliary clearance. Additionally, pneumonia can lead to increased mucus production and inflammation, which can obstruct the airways.

Smoking is known to exacerbate conditions such as COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema, both of which can cause a reduction in the number and elasticity of alveoli. COPD can result in poor airflow, further contributing to difficulties in airway maintenance. The use of a pulse oximeter helps monitor oxygen saturation levels and indicates if the patient's blood oxygen level is low, which may be a consequence of obstructed airways or inadequate gas exchange.