More questions on this topic
More questions on this topic ( 27 Questions)
A nurse is caring for a client who has metabolic alkalosis as a result of prolonged nasogastric suctioning. The nurse should expect which of the following arterial blood gas values?
pH 7.50, PaCO2 40 mm Hg, HCO3- 30 mEq/L. This choice is correct because it shows a high pH, a normal PaCO2, and a high HCO3-, which are consistent with metabolic alkalosis. Metabolic alkalosis occurs when there is a loss of acid or a gain of base in the body fluids, such as from prolonged nasogastric suctioning. The kidneys try to compensate by excreting more bicarbonate, but this process is slow and incomplete.
pH 7.35, PaCO2 35 mm Hg, HCO3- 24 mEq/L. This choice is incorrect because it shows normal values for pH, PaCO2, and HCO3-, which indicate no acid-base imbalance. A client with metabolic alkalosis would have an elevated pH and bicarbonate level.
pH 7.25, PaCO2 50 mm Hg, HCO3- 26 mEq/L. This choice is incorrect because it shows a low pH, a high PaCO2, and a normal HCO3-, which are consistent with respiratory acidosis. Respiratory acidosis occurs when there is impaired gas exchange or hypoventilation, leading to an accumulation of carbon dioxide in the blood. The kidneys try to compensate by retaining more bicarbonate, but this process is slow and incomplete.
pH 7.30, PaCO2 30 mm Hg, HCO3- 18 mEq/L. This choice is incorrect because it shows a low pH, a low PaCO2, and a low HCO3-, which are consistent with metabolic acidosis. Metabolic acidosis occurs when there is a gain of acid or a loss of base in the body fluids, such as from diabetic ketoacidosis or diarrhea. The lungs try to compensate by increasing the rate and depth of breathing to expel more carbon dioxide, but this process is fast and limited.
Choice A reason:
pH 7.50, PaCO2 40 mm Hg, HCO3- 30 mEq/L. This choice is correct because it shows a high pH, a normal PaCO2, and a high HCO3-, which are consistent with metabolic alkalosis. Metabolic alkalosis occurs when there is a loss of acid or a gain of base in the body fluids, such as from prolonged nasogastric suctioning. The kidneys try to compensate by excreting more bicarbonate, but this process is slow and incomplete.
Choice B reason:
pH 7.35, PaCO2 35 mm Hg, HCO3- 24 mEq/L. This choice is incorrect because it shows normal values for pH, PaCO2, and HCO3-, which indicate no acid-base imbalance. A client with metabolic alkalosis would have an elevated pH and bicarbonate level.
Choice C reason:
pH 7.25, PaCO2 50 mm Hg, HCO3- 26 mEq/L. This choice is incorrect because it shows a low pH, a high PaCO2, and a normal HCO3-, which are consistent with respiratory acidosis. Respiratory acidosis occurs when there is impaired gas exchange or hypoventilation, leading to an accumulation of carbon dioxide in the blood. The kidneys try to compensate by retaining more bicarbonate, but this process is slow and incomplete.
Choice D reason:
pH 7.30, PaCO2 30 mm Hg, HCO3- 18 mEq/L. This choice is incorrect because it shows a low pH, a low PaCO2, and a low HCO3-, which are consistent with metabolic acidosis. Metabolic acidosis occurs when there is a gain of acid or a loss of base in the body fluids, such as from diabetic ketoacidosis or diarrhea. The lungs try to compensate by increasing the rate and depth of breathing to expel more carbon dioxide, but this process is fast and limited.