EM@3AM: Bradypnea - emDocs
A 53-year-old male with hyperlipidemia and cervical stenosis presents with dyspnea, which has been worsening since his cervical spinal fusion 6 days ago. He states he is very fatigued and feels as though he cannot get a deep breath. Vital signs revealed a BP of 136/76, HR of 88, RR of 9, SpO2 of 94% on room air, and a temperature of 97.6 F. On physical exam, the patient is lethargic, has nasal flaring, and is using accessory muscles to breathe. Lung sounds are clear. On cardiac exam, there is normal rate and rhythm without murmur, rubs, or gallops. His capillary refill is 2 seconds. His surgical incision looks clean and without any signs of infection. An ABG is drawn and reveals pH of 7.53, pCO2 of 58, and PO2 of 83. Chest X-ray shows some mild atelectasis but no acute infiltrates. What is the diagnosis?
