Which set of arterial blood gases would the nurse expect to find in a client who developed a pulmonary embolism 6 hours ago?
A. pH 7.30, HCO3– 22 mEq/L, PCO2 60 mm Hg, PO2 66 mm Hg
B. pH 7.38, HCO3– 22 mEq/L, PCO2 45 mm Hg, PO2 96 mm Hg
C. pH 7.47, HCO3– 23 mEq/L, PCO2 25 mm Hg, PO2 82 mm Hg
D. pH 7.30, HCO3– 28 mEq/L, PCO2 65 mm Hg, PO2 75 mm Hg
A
As this condition of poor gas exchange continues in the client with a PE, blood flowing through the lungs does not receive adequate oxygenation and carbon dioxide is retained, causing an in-crease in hydrogen ions and a decreased pH indicative of respiratory acidosis. If this condition continues further, the hypoxia results in greater production of carbon dioxide production, result-ing in a metabolic acidosis as well as a respiratory acidosis. The bicarbonate level remains normal because not enough time has passed to trigger renal compensation for the acidosis.
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