A patient's blood gases show a pH of 7.53 and bicarbonate level of 36 mEq/L. The nurse realizes that the patient is demonstrating which acid-base disorder?

Choice B rationale:

The patient's tachycardia, pale, cool skin, and decreased urine output are signs of the body's natural compensatory mechanisms in response to fluid volume deficit. When the body

experiences a decrease in fluid volume, it tries to compensate by increasing heart rate (tachycardia) to maintain blood flow to vital organs and constricting blood vessels to preserve fluid and maintain blood pressure. Pale, cool skin is a result of vasoconstriction, and decreased urine output is a way the body conserves water during dehydration.

Choice A rationale:

Effects of rapidly infused intravenous fluids are not the cause of the patient's current findings. In fact, the nurse's notes indicate that the IV fluid therapy (0.9% sodium chloride) was initiated at 125 mL/hr, which is a relatively standard and cautious rate. Rapidly infused fluids could potentially cause fluid overload, but that is not the situation here.

Choice C rationale:

Pharmacological effects of a diuretic are not relevant to this patient's presentation. There is no mention of diuretic use in the nurse's notes, and the symptoms presented are more consistent with fluid volume deficit and dehydration rather than diuretic use.

Choice D rationale:

Cardiac failure is not the correct answer, as there is no indication of heart failure in the patient's presentation or nurse's notes. The symptoms and findings described are more indicative of fluid volume deficit, which is not synonymous with cardiac failure.

Choice A rationale:

Sodium level is a laboratory parameter that can be helpful in assessing fluid balance, but it does not directly measure fluid retention. Abnormal sodium levels may indicate fluid imbalances, but it is not the most reliable measure of fluid retention.

Choice B rationale:

Tissue turgor refers to the skin's elasticity, and it can be used to assess dehydration rather than fluid retention. Poor turgor may indicate dehydration, but it does not specifically measure fluid volume increase.

Choice C rationale:

Daily weight is a reliable measure of fluid retention. An increase in weight over a short period may indicate fluid accumulation in the body, while a decrease in weight could signify fluid loss. It is essential to monitor weight consistently under standardized conditions (e.g., same time, same clothing) for accurate assessment.

Choice D rationale:

Intake and output records provide information about fluid intake and output but may not always reflect fluid retention accurately. It is helpful for assessing fluid balance, but daily weight is a more direct and reliable measure of fluid retention.