10th September 2020

A 25-year-old post-graduate student is brought into the Emergency Department

A 25-year-old post-graduate student is brought into the Emergency Department due to severe dyspnoea and tachypnoea. For the past three days, she has been suffering from a worsening dry cough at night. She has been well in herself prior to this. She struggles to tell you much more as she is unable to complete her sentences. On examination, there is an audible wheeze, reduced chest expansion and reduced air entry bilaterally. 

Her basic observations are: T 37.7, Oxygen saturations 92%, RR 30, HR 140, BP 130/90

You perform an ABG and the results are: 

• pH – 7.50 (7.35 – 7.45)
• PaO₂ – 7.4 kPa (11 – 13 kPa)
• PaCO₂ – 3.5 kPa (4.7 – 6.0 kPa)
• HCO₃⁻ – 22 mEq/L (22 – 26 mEq/L)

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