A Postoperative Patient Complaining of Dyspnea Is Found to Have

Multiple Choice

A postoperative patient complaining of dyspnea is found to have tachypnea and tachycardia,and is somewhat confused.Breath sounds reveal end inspiratory crackles in both lung bases.An arterial blood gas (ABG) is drawn and reveals the following: pH 7.49; P_aCO₂ 33 mm Hg; P_aO₂ 51 mm Hg; S_aO₂ 87%; HCO₃⁻ 25 mEq/L while on a 30% air entrainment mask.The most appropriate respiratory therapy intervention includes which of the following?

A) Initiate noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) .
B) Initiate continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) by mask.
C) Administer bronchodilator therapy.
D) Intubate and mechanically ventilate.