A nurse is reviewing arterial blood gas results for a client diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The nurse should expect which abnormal finding?

Increased arterial oxygen

Increased pH

Increased carbon dioxide

Decreased alveolar function

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

A. Increased arterial oxygen: Clients with COPD typically experience chronic hypoxemia due to alveolar destruction, airway inflammation, and mucus production, which impair gas exchange. Rather than increased oxygen levels, they often have a decreased PaO₂, requiring supplemental oxygen therapy. However, excessive oxygen administration can suppress their respiratory drive, worsening CO₂ retention.
B. Increased pH: COPD is associated with respiratory acidosis due to chronic CO₂ retention from inadequate alveolar ventilation. While the kidneys compensate by increasing bicarbonate retention, the pH usually remains low or near normal in chronic cases rather than becoming elevated. A higher pH would indicate alkalosis, which is not typical in COPD unless there is an additional metabolic disturbance.
C. Increased carbon dioxide: COPD causes airway obstruction and reduced alveolar ventilation, leading to CO₂ retention (hypercapnia). As CO₂ accumulates in the blood, it lowers the pH, resulting in respiratory acidosis. Chronic hypercapnia is a hallmark of advanced COPD, and in response, the kidneys retain bicarbonate to partially compensate, stabilizing the pH over time but leaving PaCO₂ elevated.
D. Decreased alveolar function: While COPD does lead to progressive alveolar damage and reduced gas exchange, this is a structural and functional change rather than a specific abnormality seen in arterial blood gases. The primary ABG finding in COPD is hypercapnia, which reflects inadequate ventilation and CO₂ retention rather than just decreased alveolar function alone.

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A. pH 7.55, PaCO2 30 mm Hg, PaO2 80 mm Hg, HCO3 24 mEq/L: This ABG finding indicates respiratory alkalosis, as evidenced by the elevated pH and decreased PaCO2. In progressive COPD, clients typically retain carbon dioxide rather than blow it off, so this finding would not be expected in a patient with chronic respiratory issues.
B. pH 7.30, PaCO2 60 mm Hg, PaO2 70 mm Hg, HCO3 30 mEq/L: This is the most consistent finding for a client with progressive COPD. The low pH indicates acidosis, and the elevated PaCO2 suggests respiratory acidosis due to carbon dioxide retention, a common problem in COPD. The elevated HCO3 indicates a compensatory metabolic response, as the body attempts to retain bicarbonate to buffer the acidosis.
C. pH 7.40, PaCO2 40 mm Hg, PaO2 94 mm Hg, HCO3 22 mEq/L: These values indicate a normal ABG, which would not be expected in a client with progressive COPD. Patients with chronic lung disease typically present with acid-base imbalances due to respiratory failure, so this finding suggests the client is not exhibiting the expected complications of COPD.
D. pH 7.38, PaCO2 45 mm Hg, PaO2 88 mm Hg, HCO3 26 mEq/L: Although these findings show mild acidosis, the PaCO2 is within normal limits, indicating that this patient may not be experiencing significant respiratory failure. In advanced COPD, one would expect to see a higher PaCO2 and more pronounced acidosis, making this option less characteristic of a patient with progressive COPD compared to option B.

A. Hypotension B. Severe dyspnea C. Headache D. Decreased level of consciousness E. Nausea

Correct Answer is ["B","C","D"]

Explanation

A. Hypotension: While hypotension can occur in clients with acute respiratory failure (ARF), it is not a primary manifestation of the condition. Hypotension may arise due to other factors, such as sepsis or significant fluid loss, but is not universally present in ARF. Therefore, it is less likely to be a key finding in this context.
B. Severe dyspnea: This is a hallmark manifestation of ARF. Clients typically experience significant difficulty in breathing due to inadequate oxygenation or ventilation, leading to an urgent need for medical intervention. Monitoring for severe dyspnea is critical as it directly indicates the severity of respiratory distress.
C. Headache: Headaches can be a manifestation of acute respiratory failure, particularly due to hypoxia or hypercapnia (elevated carbon dioxide levels) affecting cerebral circulation. This symptom may arise as the body struggles to compensate for decreased oxygen levels, making it important to monitor in clients with ARF.
D. Decreased level of consciousness: This is a significant concern in ARF and can indicate worsening hypoxia or hypercapnia. Alterations in consciousness may range from confusion to unresponsiveness and require immediate evaluation and intervention, making it a critical manifestation to monitor.
E. Nausea: Although some clients may experience nausea as a secondary symptom due to anxiety or as a response to hypoxia, it is not a primary or definitive manifestation of acute respiratory failure. Therefore, while it may occur in some cases, it is not one of the key findings to consistently monitor in clients with ARF.

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A nurse is reviewing arterial blood gas results for a client diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The nurse should expect which abnormal finding?

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is reviewing the arterial blood gas (ABG) result for a client diagnosed with progressive chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The nurse should expect which of the following ABG findings for a client diagnosed with progressive COPD?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A nurse is caring for a client who has an acute respiratory failure (ARF). The nurse should monitor the client for which of the following manifestations of this condition? (Select all that apply.)

Correct Answer is ["B","C","D"]

Explanation

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