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MENTAL AND FUNCTIONAL STATUS IN THE ELDERLY: RELATIONSHIP TO BLOOD GAS AND pH LEVELS
Author(s) -
Landau Samuel,
Ravindranath Somalinga S.,
Goldberg Emanuel
Publication year - 1969
Publication title -
journal of the american geriatrics society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.992
H-Index - 232
eISSN - 1532-5415
pISSN - 0002-8614
DOI - 10.1111/j.1532-5415.1969.tb02329.x
Subject(s) - medicine , respiratory alkalosis , arterial blood , alkalosis , respiratory system , hyperpnea , blood gas analysis , anesthesia , acidosis , metabolic acidosis
A bstract One hundred and five patients (age range, 47–93 years) in a New York City nursing home were studied to estimate the extent to which physical dysfunction and disorientation could be attributed to pulmonary insufficiency. Arterial blood gases (oxygen and carbon dioxide) and pH were determined on all subjects. Venous and arterial blood gases were compared and found to be variable over a wide range. Only a small percentage of the patients had respiratory insufficiency as defined on the basis of blood gas levels, and their distribution appeared to be random with regard to mental and physical function. Respiratory insufficiency was not a significant cause of disorientation and physical dysfunction in this nursing‐home group. Hyperpnea and respiratory alkalosis were present in all patients. Severe hypocarbia and alkalosis appeared to affect the prognosis unfavorably.