The Car Accident Case Study

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Question 1 of 7 | 4.0 Points |

1. Define the following terms contained in this case: 

a. Bilateral –Affecting both sides such as the lungs or two broken legs

b. Hypoventilation - The state in which a reduced amount of air enters the alveoli in the lungs, resulting in decreased levels of oxygen and increased levels of carbon dioxide in the blood. Hypoventilation can be due to breathing that is too shallow (hypopnea) or too slow (bradypnea), or to diminished lung function

c. Hemothorax – bleeding in the chest

d. Arrhythmias - Abnormal rapid heart rhythms (arrhythmias) that originate in the lower chambers of the heart (the ventricles). Ventricular arrhythmias include ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation. Both are life threatening arrhythmias most commonly associated with heart attacks or scarring of the heart muscle from previous heart attack. |

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Question 2 of 7 | 2.0 Points |

What are the normal ranges for the measurements listed in the blood and urine tests? – PH in urine is 4.6 - 8 while blood PH is 7.3-7.4 |

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Question 3 of 7 | 2.0 Points |

Explain how Mr. Henderson’s rib fractures are related to the suspected hemothorax. – The ribs may have caused in the blood to collect in the pleural space causing decreased chest expansion, dullness to percussion and reduced breath sounds  plus there is presence of bruising which could be blood leaking into the surrounding tissues |

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Question 4 of 7 | 4.0 Points |

Mr. Henderson’s PCO2 is elevated. Under normal conditions, what would be the PRIMARY mechanism that his body would use to reduce the amount of PCO2 in the blood? Why is this mechanism not working in this case? Under normal conditions PCO2 is released by normal breathing and through the kidneys. In Mr. Henderson’s case his breathing is diminished and PCO2 levels are rising due to improper ventilation. |

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Question 5 of 7 | 2.0 Points |

Describe how the high PCO2 and low pH in Mr. Henderson’s blood are...