Respiratory Acidosis: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Bernice Betweiler was a 73-year-old retired seamstress who had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease secondary to a long history of smoking (see Case 25). Six months before her death, she was examined by her physician. Her blood values at that time are summarized in Table 417.

Against her physicians warnings, Bernice adamantly refused to stop smoking. Six months later, Bernice was desperately ill and was taken to the emergency department by her sister. Her blood values at that time are shown in Table 418.

She remained in the hospital and died 2 weeks later.