Reference no: EM133797474

Question

The patient, a 51-year-old woman with acute respiratory failure secondary to an acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive bronchitis, was brought to the emergency department by emergency medical services. In the emergency department, she was intubated and placed on mechanical ventilation. On admission, it soon became apparent that she had suffered severe, irreversible hypoxic encephalopathy. On day 2, she was weaned from the ventilator and extubated; however, significant neurological function was never regained. In accordance with her advance directive, tube feedings were discontinued. She became febrile and dyspneic. Antibiotics were started to provide comfort and relief of her pneumonia. She expired on day 13. Discharge diagnoses: (1) Acute respiratory failure secondary to chronic obstructive bronchitis, (2) pneumonia, (3) encephalopathy.