Author: Ruth Creamer / Editor: Martin Dore / Reviewer: Kathryn Blackmore / Codes: / Published: 01/10/2021
A 36-year-old male is brought to the Emergency Department (ED) by ambulance in respiratory distress requiring oxygen in the pre-hospital environment. He was commenced on oral amoxicillin for a lower respiratory tract infection in the community 4 days ago but has continued to deteriorate at home with a productive cough and fever. He has no medical conditions, no regular medications and has no allergies. He lives alone following the breakdown of a long-term relationship 18 months ago, but reports having had a large number of sexual partners in that time.
He is assessed in ED resus; he is pyrexial at 38.9, RR 32, BP 125/60 and oxygen saturations on 15L oxygen through a non-rebreathe mask are between 85-88%.
An ABG is taken which shows type 1 respiratory failure with a Pa02 of 7.5
An ICU review is requested.
