An Adult Patient in Respiratory Failure Has the Following Blood

Multiple Choice

An adult patient in respiratory failure has the following blood gases on a nasal cannula at 5 L/min: pH = 7.20; PaCO₂ = 67 mm Hg; HCO₃^-= 27 mEq/L; PaO₂ = 89 mm Hg. The attending physician orders intubation and ventilatory support. What FiO₂ would you recommend to start with?

A) 0.21
B) 0.30
C) 0.50
D) 0.90