Question

You are assessing a 66-year-old man who has emphysema and complains of worsened shortness of breath. He is confused, has a heart rate of 120 beats/min, and has an oxygen saturation of 83%. Which of the following assessment finding should concern you the MOST?

Answer 1

The most concerning finding is the oxygen saturation of 83%, which indicates hypoxemia, a dangerous condition that requires immediate medical attention in patients with emphysema.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most concerning assessment finding in a 66-year-old man with emphysema who has worsened shortness of breath, confusion, a heart rate of 120 beats/min, and an oxygen saturation of 83% is the low oxygen saturation (also known as hypoxemia). This signals a critical lack of oxygen which can lead to organ dysfunction and is particularly dangerous in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) such as emphysema.

The patient's confusion may be due to hypercapnia, or elevated levels of carbon dioxide in the blood, which can result from poor ventilation due to emphysema. A rapid heart rate (tachycardia) and oxygen saturation well below the normal range of 95%-100% are both indicative of respiratory distress and the need for immediate medical intervention, possibly including supplemental oxygen and further evaluation.