Critical Care
The Southwest Journal of Pulmonary and Critical Care publishes articles directed to those who treat patients in the ICU, CCU and SICU including chest physicians, surgeons, pediatricians, pharmacists/pharmacologists, anesthesiologists, critical care nurses, and other healthcare professionals. Manuscripts may be either basic or clinical original investigations or review articles. Potential authors of review articles are encouraged to contact the editors before submission, however, unsolicited review articles will be considered.
April 2021 Critical Care Case of the Month: Abnormal Acid-Base Balance in a Post-Partum Woman
Mohammad Abdelaziz Mahmoud, MD, DO
Andrea N. Pruett, BS
Emanuel Medical Center
Turlock, CA 95382
History of Present Illness
A 29-year-old healthy woman, who is 8 weeks postpartum, presented to the emergency department with severe shortness of breath, fast shallow breathing, nausea, several episodes of nonbloody nonbilious emesis, abdominal pain and malaise for 1 week. The patient delivered a healthy boy at full-term by spontaneous vaginal delivery. Her pregnancy was uneventful. She denied smoking or use of alcohol.
Physical Exam
On presentation to the emergency department her blood pressure was found to be 121/71, temperature 36.8°C, pulse 110 beats per minute, respiratory rate 20 breaths per minute and SpO2 saturation of 99% while breathing ambient air. Physical exam was remarkable except for dry mucous membranes, sinus tachycardia, and tachypnea with mild epigastric tenderness with light palpation.
Which of the following should be done? (Click on the correct answer to be directed to the second of five pages)
Cite as: Mahmoud MA, Pruett AN. April 2021 Critical Care Case of the Month: Abnormal Acid-Base Balance in a Post-Partum Woman. Southwest J Pulm Crit Care. 2021;22(4):81-85. doi: https://doi.org/10.13175/swjpcc007-21 PDF.
April 2019 Critical Care Case of the Month: A Severe Drinking Problem
Francisco J. Marquez II MD
Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine
Banner University Medical Center/University of Arizona – Phoenix
Phoenix, AZ USA
History of Present Illness
A 55-year-old Caucasian man, presented to an outside hospital with altered mental status.
Past Medical/Social History
- Severe alcohol and intermittent fentanyl abuse
- Homelessness
Physical Exam
- Hypothermic and hypertensive.
- Patient encephalopathic without any acute deficits
- Pupils are normal sized and react to light
Which of the following should be obtained or done in his initial evaluation? (Click on the correct answer to proceed to the second of six pages)
Cite as: Marquez FJ II. April 2019 critical care case of the month: A severe drinking problem. Southwest J Pulm Crit Care. 2019;18(4):67-73. doi: https://doi.org/10.13175/swjpcc003-19 PDF