CPC Case for May 7, 2004
Discussant: Dr. William Norcross
Presenter: Dr. Troy Wadsworth
CC |
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HPI | Patient was a 82 year old while female who was brought by EMS to the PHD emergency department after being found unresponsive in her room at a rehabilitation hospital. She had been admitted to the rehab hospital one week prior to presentation to ED for difficulty walking and severe low back pain that was interfering with her activities of daily living. Apparently, she was found in her hospital room unresponsive. The nursing staff initiated CPR, called “911”, and the paramedics arrived shortly thereafter and briskly transferred her our ED. |
PMH |
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MEDICATIONS |
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FH | History of cancer, unspecified |
SH |
Lived alone, nonsmoker, does not drink alcohol or use illicit drugs |
ALLERGIES | Codeine |
ROS | unobtainable |
PHYSICAL EXAM: | (limited): Vital signs: No pulse, BP, or respirations detected |
LABS: | None were performed |
Imaging and Other Studies | None were performed |
Hospital Course/ Outcome | Asystole was confirmed in two leads en route. CPR was performed according to ACLS protocol. Upon arrival, asystole was again confirmed. ACLS protocol was continued using epinephrine, atropine, and sodium bicarbonate. The rhythm on the cardiac monitor continued to display asystole despite all interventions. No pulse was ever detected throughout the event. After a reasonable amount of time, the patient was pronounced dead in the ED. |
An autopsy was performed and a diagnosis was made. |