QUESTION

Patient Setting:
65 year old Caucasian female that was discharged from the hospital 10 weeks ago after a motor vehicle
accident presents to the clinic today. States she is having severe wheezing, shortness of breath and
coughing at least once daily. She can barely get her words out without taking breaks to catch her breath
and states she has taken albuterol once today.
HPI
Frequent asthma attacks for the past 2 months (more than 4 times per week average), serious MVA 10
weeks ago; post traumatic seizure 2 weeks after the accident; anticonvulsant phenytoin started – no
seizure activity since initiation of therapy.
PMH
History of periodic asthma attacks since early 20s; mild congestive heart failure diagnosed 3 years ago;
placed on sodium restrictive diet and hydrochlorothiazide; last year placed on enalapril due to
worsening CHF; symptoms well controlled the last year.
Past Surgical History
None
Family/Social History
Family: Father died age 59 of kidney failure secondary to HTN; Mother died age 62 of CHF
Social: Nonsmoker; no alcohol intake; caffeine use: 4 cups of coffee and 4 diet colas per day.
Medication History
Theophylline SR Capsules 300 mg PO BID
Albuterol inhaler, PRN
Phenytoin SR capsules 300 mg PO QHS
HTCZ 50 mg PO BID
Enalapril 5 mg PO BID
Allergies
NKDA
ROS
Positive for shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing and exercise intolerance. Denies headache,
swelling in the extremities and seizures.
Physical exam
BP 171/94, HR 122, RR 31, T 96.7 F, Wt 145, Ht 5’ 3”
VS after Albuterol breathing treatment – BP 134/79, HR 80, RR 18
Gen: Pale, well developed female appearing anxious. HEENT: PERRLA, oral cavity without lesions, TM
without signs of inflammation, no nystagmus noted. Cardio: Regular rate and rhythm normal S1 and S2.
Chest: Bilateral expiratory wheezes. Abd: soft, non-tender, non-distended no masses. GU:
Unremarkable. Rectal: Guaiac negative. EXT: +1 ankle edema, on right, no bruising, normal pulses.
NEURO: A&O X3, cranial nerves intact.
Laboratory and Diagnostic Testing
Na – 134
K – 4.9
Cl – 100
BUN – 21
Cr – 1.2
Glu – 110
ALT – 24
AST – 27
Total Chol – 190
CBC – WNL
Theophylline – 6.2
Phenytoin – 17
Chest Xray – Blunting of the right and left costophrenic angles
Peak Flow – 75/min; after albuterol – 102/min
FEV1 – 1.8 L; FVC 3.0 L, FEV1/FVC 60%