4 Breath sounds (wheezes may be entirely inaudible).
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5 Exhaustion.
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6 Severe acidosis (accumulation of acid or depletion of the
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alkaline reserve in the blood and body tissues).
7 Dehydration.
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(b) Other signs/symptoms may be:
1 Hypoxia (lack of oxygen reaching body tissues) contributing to
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encephalopathy (disease of the brain or spinal cord).
2 Respiratory acidosis.
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3 Pneumomediastinum (presence of air or gas in the mediastinum
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which may interfere with respiration and circulation).
4 Possible progressive respiratory tract impairment.
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(c) Treatment. Treatment is similar to that for acute asthma and
includes the following:
1 Give oxygen by intermittent positive pressure breathing (IPPB).
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A machine delivering IPPB forces oxygen into the patient as the patient starts to take a
breath. The machine automatically forces enough oxygen into the patient's lungs to
open the alveoli.
2 Administer sodium bicarbonate intravenously to counteract
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acidosis. If you must add the medication to the primary intravenous bottle, use strict
aseptic technique and follow this basic procedure:
a Wash your hands.
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b Check the medication order.
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c
Prepare the medication and draw it up in a syringe.
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d Remove the metal protector and rubber diaphragm from the
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bottle.
e Insert the needle into the injection site.
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f
Mix the solution and medication.
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MD0568
4-8