Which blood gas result will the nurse expect to observe in a patient with respiratory alkalosis?
pH 7.53, PaCO2 30 mm Hg, HCO3-24 mEq/L
pH 7.35, PaCO2 35 mm Hg. HCO3-26 mEq/L
pH 7.25, PaCO2 48 mm Hg. HCO3-23 mEq/L
pH 7.60, PaCO2 40 mm Hg, HCO3-30 mEq/L
The Correct Answer is A
A. pH: Elevated (above 7.45), indicating alkalosis. PaCO₂: Decreased (below 35 mm Hg), reflecting hyperventilation and CO₂ loss. HCO₃⁻: Usually normal (around 24 mEq/L) or slightly decreased, as metabolic compensation might not be immediate. The results here show an elevated pH, decreased PaCO₂, and normal HCO₃⁻, which are consistent with respiratory alkalosis.
B. pH: Decreased (acidic), indicating acidosis. PaCO₂: Slightly elevated (near normal), not indicative of respiratory alkalosis. HCO₃⁻: Normal (around 26 mEq/L), suggesting no significant metabolic component or compensation. This profile does not match respiratory alkalosis; it is more consistent with a mixed or different type of acid-base imbalance.
C. pH: Decreased (acidic), indicating acidosis. PaCO₂: Elevated (above 45 mm Hg), indicating CO₂ retention, which is characteristic of respiratory acidosis, not alkalosis. HCO₃⁻: Normal (around 23 mEq/L), showing no significant metabolic compensation or disturbance. This profile indicates respiratory acidosis rather than respiratory alkalosis.
D. pH: Elevated (alkaline), which is consistent with alkalosis. PaCO₂: Normal (around 40 mm Hg), indicating that CO₂ levels are not the primary cause of the alkalosis. HCO₃⁻: Elevated (above 28 mEq/L), suggesting a metabolic alkalosis or compensation for a respiratory acidosis, but not respiratory alkalosis alone.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Rinsing the client's mouth helps to remove oral contaminants, ensuring that the sputum specimen is representative of the respiratory secretions.
B. Obtaining the specimen in the evening is not a specific requirement; the best time to collect the specimen is when the client has the most productive cough.
C. Saving the sputum specimen in a clean container is essential to prevent contamination. However, a sterile container is usually required.
D. Collecting the sputum specimen after a meal might induce coughing but can also contaminate the specimen with food particles.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Alcohol can affect blood clotting mechanisms and increase the risk of bleeding. Chronic alcohol consumption is associated with liver dysfunction, which impairs the production of clotting factors, leading to an increased risk of bleeding during and after surgery.
B. Alcohol consumption does not decrease the risk of postoperative infection. In fact, alcohol use, especially if it’s chronic, can impair the immune system and delay wound healing, potentially increasing the risk of postoperative infections.
C. Alcohol does not enhance the effectiveness of anesthesia; rather, it can complicate anesthesia management. Alcohol can interact with anesthetic agents, potentially altering their effects, leading to unpredictable outcomes.
D. Alcohol does not reduce the risk of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). In fact, alcohol use can exacerbate nausea and vomiting, particularly when combined with anesthetic agents.
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