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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Is My Sister Having Blood Infection?

My sister had a right lower lobectomy for a small growth in the lung. She has gone downhill everyday since Mon June 9. Dr states she should have been up and out after 3-4 days. She could not tolerate Incentive Spirometer, did not want to walk or deep breath and cough post op. We tried to encourage her to do what she needed to, but she was not cooperative. She now is on a respirator, has a pic line in for meds. She is getting epinephine for low blood pressure. Respirations have finally come down to 20. She is on propofol IV to calm her. today they told us it is possible she has a blood infection. Dont know what to think.
Thu, 25 Sep 2014
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Internal Medicine Specialist,  's  Response
A blood infection is a strong possibility. They should be able to diagnose that for sure in a day or 2. Pneumonia after any surgery is always a concern; that is the the reason for incentive spirometry and deep breath and cough- to prevent pneumonia. I suspect she may have developed pneumonia as she wasn't cooperative with the preventive treatment, and now the infection has gotten into the blood. This would cause the blood pressure to drop and require medicine like epinephrine to keep it normal. I presume she is receiving an antibiotic combination as well while they are waiting for the culture results to come back. Blood infection, also called sepsis, is a very serious condition and can be life-threatening. Hopefully the doctors will get it under contro soon. Hope this answers your query.
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Is My Sister Having Blood Infection?

A blood infection is a strong possibility. They should be able to diagnose that for sure in a day or 2. Pneumonia after any surgery is always a concern; that is the the reason for incentive spirometry and deep breath and cough- to prevent pneumonia. I suspect she may have developed pneumonia as she wasn t cooperative with the preventive treatment, and now the infection has gotten into the blood. This would cause the blood pressure to drop and require medicine like epinephrine to keep it normal. I presume she is receiving an antibiotic combination as well while they are waiting for the culture results to come back. Blood infection, also called sepsis, is a very serious condition and can be life-threatening. Hopefully the doctors will get it under contro soon. Hope this answers your query.