Case #2
Mr. H is a 52-year-old male who presents to the emergency department. His left leg is in a cast, and he states that 1 week ago he was in an automobile crash and broke his upper leg. Since that time he has had difficulty “getting around” and has mostly been lying on the couch watching television. On the evening of admission he noticed a sudden onset of dyspnea and chest pain. He denies having orthopnea, cough, hemoptysis, or wheezing. He smoked two packs of cigarettes a day for 19 years, but quit 3 years ago.
Mr. H suggests hypoxemia and respiratory alkalosis which might be an indication of serious illness such as pulmonary embolism.
Part 1: His arterial-venous oxygen content (Ca-vO2) difference is 5.73 mL/dL
Part 2: His extraction ratio (ER) 0.276 or 27.6%
What is clinically happening to the patient? Please explain.
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