Question: Carol Peltier Is A 70 Year Old Woman Who Recently Fell Off A Ladder While Putting Up Holiday Lights. She Fell Onto Her Right Side And Broke Several Ribs. She Has No Prior History Of Cardio Or Pulmonary Problems. The Physician Team Is Planning To Discharge Her Because Their Examination Has Not Determined There Are Any Other Problems (no Internal Bleeding …

Carol Peltier is a 70 year old woman who recently fell off a ladder while putting up holiday lights. She fell onto her right side and broke several ribs. She has no prior history of cardio or pulmonary problems. The physician team is planning to discharge her because their examination has not determined there are any other problems (no internal bleeding or organ damage). You are the RT assigned to her care today. Your assessment reveals: Temp 36.9 HR 105 RR 24 SpO2 89% on room air Dry weak cough with grimace Auscultation reveals clear breath sounds bilaterally but significantly diminished at the bases. Chest rise is minimal. She states it is difficult to breathe deeply due to the pain. You place Carol on 2L nasal cannula and her SpO2 doesn’t increase. You call the nurse to ask when Carol last received pain medication. If Carol is breathing so fast and her breath sounds are clear, what is leading to her need for oxygen?