13th January 2024

A 55-year-old female patient was being managed for an acute COPD exacerbation.

A 55-year-old female patient was being managed for an acute COPD exacerbation. You are the SHO on call and bleeped by the nurse in charge as she has found the patient to be confused. On examination, you find her flushed and breathless, with a positive flapping tremor.

You decide to do an ABG, which reveals PaCO2 of 8kPa.

Which of the following can lead to hypercapnia?

Select the SINGLE most appropriate option from the list below. Select ONE option only.