The nurse is caring for a client with the following arterial blood gas (ABG) results: pH 7.32, PaCO2 33 mmHg, Pa02 88 mmHg, HCO3 16 mEg/L. The nurse would Interpret these results as:

Table 9.9 Normal Arterial Blood Gas Values

ABG Value.                                                             Normal Value

pH                                                                             7.35-7.45

PaCO2                                                                                                            35-45 mmHg

HCO3-                                                                         22-25mEq/L

Base excess                                                               -2 to +2

PaO2                                                                            80-95 mmHg

SaO2                                                                            >95%

fully compensated respiratory acidosis.

partially compensated respiratory acidosis.

uncompensated metabolic acidosis.

partially compensated metabolic acidosis.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

A. Fully compensated respiratory acidosis: Fully compensated respiratory acidosis would involve a low pH (indicative of acidosis), elevated PaCO2 (due to impaired ventilation), and a normal HCO3 level as compensation by the kidneys. The given ABG results show metabolic acidosis with partial respiratory compensation, not respiratory acidosis.

B. Partially compensated respiratory acidosis: In respiratory acidosis, you would expect an elevated PaCO2 (not low, as seen here) and a compensatory increase in HCO3. However, the ABG results show low HCO3 and low PaCO2, indicating that this is metabolic acidosis, not respiratory acidosis.

C. Uncompensated metabolic acidosis: Uncompensated metabolic acidosis would be indicated by a low pH and low bicarbonate (HCO3), with normal PaCO2. Since the PaCO2 is low, this suggests partial respiratory compensation, making this scenario not uncompensated but partially compensated.

D. Partially compensated metabolic acidosis: To interpret these ABG results, let's break down the values:

pH 7.32 (normal range: 7.35–7.45) indicates acidosis, as it is below the normal range.

PaCO2 33 mmHg (normal range: 35–45 mmHg) is low, suggesting that respiratory compensation is occurring to counteract the acidosis. In metabolic acidosis, the lungs typically attempt to blow off CO2 to reduce acid levels, which is why PaCO2 is low here.

HCO3 16 mEq/L (normal range: 22–25 mEq/L) is low, confirming a metabolic acidosis. The low bicarbonate level is characteristic of metabolic acidosis, where the body loses too much bicarbonate or produces too much acid. PaO2 88 mmHg (normal range: 80–95 mmHg) is within the normal range and does not indicate a significant respiratory issue.

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Correct Answer is ["A","C","D","E"]

Explanation

A. "How long have you had the pain?"
Asking about the duration of the pain is crucial in assessing a myocardial infarction (MI). The length of time the pain has been occurring can help the nurse determine if the pain is acute or has been ongoing. For instance, chest pain lasting more than 20 minutes or worsening in intensity could indicate an MI. Knowing the timing of the pain also helps establish whether it may be related to acute coronary syndrome (ACS), which requires immediate intervention.

B. "Do you have a history of coronary artery disease?"
While it’s important to understand the patient’s medical history, this question is more secondary during the initial assessment of a client with chest pain. This information is valuable for understanding the risk of cardiovascular events, but it is not the immediate focus when assessing the current pain. The nurse should prioritize questions that address the current symptoms and the characteristics of the pain first.

C. "How would you describe your pain?"
This question is essential to help differentiate the chest pain associated with a myocardial infarction from other causes, such as musculoskeletal pain or gastrointestinal issues. MI pain is typically described as a crushing, pressure-like, or squeezing sensation. Identifying the quality of the pain helps establish whether it’s consistent with a cardiac event. Understanding the description of the pain also provides information about the intensity and potential for myocardial damage.

D. "What were you doing when the pain began?"
This is an important question because activity-related chest pain can help determine the potential cause of the pain. Pain associated with physical exertion or emotional stress may point to an MI or angina. On the other hand, pain unrelated to activity might suggest other causes such as gastrointestinal issues or musculoskeletal pain. Inquiring about the onset of the pain can also provide insight into whether it is associated with physical strain or acute coronary syndrome.

E. "Can you rate your pain on a 0-10 scale?"
Pain assessment using a numeric pain scale (0-10) helps the nurse gauge the severity of the pain and track changes over time. It’s important for determining whether the pain is severe enough to be consistent with an acute myocardial infarction or if it might resolve on its own. This information is vital in deciding the urgency of interventions and treatment decisions.

Correct Answer is ["3.9"]

Explanation

Step-by-Step Solution:

Convert the toddler's weight from pounds to kilograms.

1 pound is =0.453592 kilograms.

So, 26 pounds = 26 x 0.453592 = 11.793592 kilograms.

Calculate the total daily dose of prednisolone.

The prescribed dose is 2 mg/kg/day.

The toddler weighs 11.793592 kg.

The total daily dose = 2 mg/kg/day x 11.793592 kg = 23.587184 mg/day.

Determine the dose per administration.

The total daily dose is divided into two equal doses (every 12 hours).

The dose per administration = 23.587184 mg/day / 2 = 11.793592 mg per dose.

Calculate the volume of prednisolone syrup to administer.

The available prednisolone syrup is 15 mg/5 ml.

We need to administer 11.793592 mg per dose.

To find the volume, we can set up a proportion:

15 mg / 5 ml = 11.793592 mg / x ml

Cross-multiplying:

15x = 5 x 11.793592

Solving for x:

x = (5 x 11.793592) / 15 = 3.931197 ml

Round the answer to the nearest tenth.

3.9 ml.

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A client comes to the emergency Department with chest pain and the nurse suspects a myocardial infarction. Which questions) should the nurse ask the client about the pain in the initial assessment? (SELECT ALL THAT APPLY)

Correct Answer is ["A","C","D","E"]

Explanation

A client is receiving a continuous infusion of IV insulin at 8 mL/hour. Pharmacy makes an infusion of 75 units of regular insulin in 150 mL of Normal Saline for this institution. How many units per hour is the client receiving? (Round to the nearest whole number)

Correct Answer is ["3.9"]

Explanation

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