Table 1: Investigations of the patient during the course of hospital stay
[MANAGEMENT]The patient was swiftly transferred to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) under the supervision of an anesthesiologist for further management. She was given supplemental oxygen through a face mask at a high flow rate of 10 liters per minute to ensure her blood oxygen levels stayed above 92%. To alleviate pulmonary congestion and breathing difficulties, she received intravenous diuretics: a 40 mg dose of furosemide initially, followed by another 40 mg dose after 10 minutes, and then 20 mg twice daily. Additionally, she was administered intravenous GTN (glyceryl trinitrate), starting with a 100 mcg bolus dose followed by a continuous infusion of 5 mcg per minute to manage her blood pressure, decrease heart load, and enhance oxygen levels.
Broad spectrum antibiotics (Piperacillin 4 gm + Tazobactam 0.5 gm) was also started, along with a prophylactic dose of Enoxaparin (40 units) injected subcutaneously. Hydrocortisone (100 mg three times daily) was administered intravenously, and nebulization with a mixture of Salbutamol, Ipratropium, and Normal saline (in a ratio of 1:1:2) was done three times daily. IV Morphine (2 mg) was available as needed for pain relief. Close monitoring of vital signs, fluid intake and urinary output were initiated, and fluid intake was restricted to prevent further fluid overload. The patient’s response to treatment was carefully tracked through repeated arterial blood gas analyses and chest X-rays. Over the following 48 hours, the patient’s respiratory symptoms and oxygen levels gradually improved.