EARLY PULMONARY REHABILITATION APPROACH TOWARDS COMPLICATED CASE OF ACUTE RESPIRATORY FAILURE: ENHANCING QUALITY OF LIFE

Abstract

Acute Respiratory failure often refers to the inability of the body system to maintain optimum arterial and tissue oxygen levels or to optimally expel out carbon dioxide. It is, therefore, hypoxemic or hypercapnia in nature or both depending on the root pathogenesis. A 72-year-old female patient was admitted to the hospital with complaints of breathlessness at rest with NYHA grade 4, dry cough (nonproductive), and orthopnea. The patient is a known case of Diabetes Mellitus type 2 for the last 5 years. On the day of examination patients were breathless using accessory muscles for respiration. The patient was tachypnea. The chest expansion, as well as excursion, was significantly reduced. On auscultations in Coarse crackles were heard. X-ray showed pneumonitis changes. ABG showed respiratory acidosis without compensation initially. Physiotherapy intervention included patients and their family members counseling, airway clearance techniques, energy conservation methods, and adaptation to complex positions with the maintenance of Spo2. Outcome measures have shown enhancement in functional independence and bedside daily activities. Pulmonary Rehab with efficient family counseling is effective in the overall improvement of the patient’s condition with acute respiratory failure.