Respiratory Cases II

60 yo female, recent shortness of breath


patient illustration

History

JK is a 60-year-old female who presents to the emergency department complaining of shortness of breath of recent onset. She is currently being treated for non-small cell lung cancer. She is alert and oriented and using accessory muscles to breathe. Her heart rate is 108, respiratory rate 36, temperature 98.9o F. Her SpO2 is 92% while breathing room air. She is not coughing.

Use the Auscultation and Blood Pressure tabs for pulse, blood pressure and lung sounds.

Which of the following is the best diagnostic test to perform at this time?
a. arterial blood gases