A 63-year-old man presents to the emergency department because of progressive difficulty with breathing. He has a history of diabetes, hypertension, and chronic bronchitis. He has been receiving medications to moderate his conditions and reports being compliant with his schedule. He reports a recent difficulty with tackling simple chores in the house. He has not been able to walk for more than 1 block over the past few days. His persistent cough has also been worsening with more formation of sputum. During his diagnosis of bronchitis, about a year ago, he had a 40-pack-year smoking history. The patient is in evident distress and uses his accessory muscles to breathe. The vital signs include: temperature 38.6°C (101.5°F), blood pressure 120/85 mm Hg, pulse 100/min, respiratory rate 26/min, and oxygen (O2) saturation 87%. A decrease in breathing sounds with expiratory wheezes is heard on auscultation of the lungs. The arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis shows: PCO2 60 mm Hg PO2 45 mm Hg pH 7.3 HCO3– 25 mEq/L Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in the treatment?
AO2 supplementation
BAminophylline
CMethylprednisolone
DAlbuterol
ELevofloxacin
A 47-year-old man comes to the physician because of a 7-week history of cough, shortness of breath, and daily copious sputum production. He has had frequent respiratory tract infections over the past several years. Current medications include dextromethorphan and guaifenesin as needed. He does not smoke cigarettes. His temperature is 37.1°C (98.8°F), pulse is 88/min, respirations are 21/min, and blood pressure is 133/84 mm Hg. Pulse oximetry on room air shows an oxygen saturation of 95%. Diffuse crackles and wheezing are heard on auscultation over bilateral lung fields. A CT scan of the chest is shown. The patient is at greatest risk for which of the following complications?
ADysfunction of left ventricle
BInfection with Rhizopus species
CNeoplastic growth of pleural cells
DDamage to bronchial vessels
ERupture of pulmonary blebs
A 70-year-old man presents to a physician with a cough and difficulty breathing during the last 7 years. He has smoked since his teenage years and regularly inhales tiotropium, formoterol, and budesonide and takes oral theophylline. The number of exacerbations has been increasing over the last 6 months. His temperature is 37.2°C (99°F), the heart rate is 92/min, the blood pressure is 134/88 mm Hg and the respiratory rate is 26/min. On chest auscultation breath sounds are diffusely decreased and bilateral rhonchi are present. Pulse oximetry shows his resting oxygen saturation to be 88%. Chest radiogram shows a flattened diaphragm, hyperlucency of the lungs, and a long, narrow heart shadow. The physician explains this condition to the patient and emphasizes the importance of smoking cessation. In addition to this, which of the following is most likely to reduce the risk of mortality from the condition?
ARoflumilast
BLow-dose oral prednisone
CPulmonary rehabilitation
DSupplemental oxygen
EProphylactic azithromycin
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