A 76-Year-Old Man with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Is Admitted

A 76-year-old man with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is admitted to the intensive care unit for pneumonia.  On presentation in the emergency department, he had hypercapnia and hypoxic respiratory failure.  He was intubated and sedated.  After intubation, the patient's blood pressure dropped to 85/58 mm Hg and did not recover with intravenous fluid resuscitation.  A central venous catheter was placed and he was started on pressors.
Which of the following procedures is most likely to improve outcome in this patient?

A) Daily arterial blood gas testing
B) Daily assessment of the need for a central venous catheter
C) Daily chemistry profile
D) Daily complete blood count
E) Starting enteral nutrition within 6 hours of admission

Correct Answer:

Verified

Unlock this answer now
Get Access to more Verified Answers free of charge

Access For Free