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Have Compression Fractures Of Back, Broken Rib, Pneumonia, Low Pulse Rate. Need For Checking?
My elderly friend, 87, fell about 3 weeks ago and has 4 compression fractures of his back and a broken rib. He also had pneumonia and was in the hospital for a week. He is now in an assisted living situation. He is on O2, that is another story...He is on three bp meds. His pulse rate dropped to 32 two days ago, and his O2 to 73. His doctor was notified. They have withheld one bp med at my request that had a black box warning about pulse rate dropping. His doc was faxed yesterday am about his low pulse. The nurse just told me that his bp today after a lunch visit out of the facility was 102 over 60. They are keeping an eye on him. The doc dad his O2 for sitting around and daily activity last Thurs when he was on 3 liters. He was to use it at nite an naps. We have put him back on O2. I am thinking about taking him to the ERs to be checked out. What do you think?
posted on
Sun, 7 Jul 2013
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Mon, 8 Jul 2013
Answered on
Tue, 9 Jul 2013
Last reviewed on
Hi, thanks for writing to HCM.
As per the description, all the fractures that your friend has sustained are benign lesions and are not life threatening. They will heal with proper medications and rest.
Whereas falling pulse rate, low oxygen saturation and hypotension are generally not good signs and are warning bells for a serious underlying problem.
So as you rightly thought, take him to the ER for proper evaluation and management.
Hope this helps
As per the description, all the fractures that your friend has sustained are benign lesions and are not life threatening. They will heal with proper medications and rest.
Whereas falling pulse rate, low oxygen saturation and hypotension are generally not good signs and are warning bells for a serious underlying problem.
So as you rightly thought, take him to the ER for proper evaluation and management.
Hope this helps
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