What indicates a patient may have impaired gas exchange?

Fatigue is a significant indicator of impaired gas exchange in a patient. When gas exchange is compromised, the body struggles to effectively transfer oxygen into the blood and remove carbon dioxide. This deficiency can lead to a cascade of physiological responses, including increased work of breathing, which can cause the patient to feel more tired or fatigued than usual.

Patients with impaired gas exchange often experience a lack of oxygen (hypoxia), which directly impacts energy levels and can lead to feelings of exhaustion. Additionally, the body may also be using more energy to attempt to maintain adequate oxygen supply, further contributing to fatigue. Therefore, the presence of fatigue in a patient is a strong sign that gas exchange may not be functioning optimally.

The other options, while they may reflect various patient conditions, do not directly signify impaired gas exchange in the same manner that fatigue does. Increased pain may impact overall well-being but does not specifically indicate a problem with gas exchange. Increased fall risk may arise from various factors such as weakness or balance issues and is not inherently related to respiration. Social isolation often speaks to psychological or social factors rather than a direct physiological condition affecting gas exchange.