13th January 2024

An 80-year-old male patient presented to the ED with a 3-week history of breathlessness, dry cough and confusion.

An 80-year-old male patient presented to the ED with a 3-week history of breathlessness, dry cough and confusion. He also complained of a worsening headache. He had a history of tuberculosis as a teenager. On examination, he was drowsy with a GCS of 14. His pulse was 102 beats per minute, and his respiratory rate was 24 breaths per minute. His oxygen saturation was 85% (94–98) breathing air. On auscultation of his chest, there were some crackles in the left lower zone and generally decreased breath sounds on the right. ABG revealed:

Po2 6.9

Pco2 10

pH 7.20

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