The nurse reviewing blood gas results notices that the pH and the carbon dioxide are moving in opposite directions. The primary problem is:
1. Respiratory.
2. Acidosis.
3. Metabolic.
4. Alkalosis.
Respiratory.
Rationale: If the problem is respiratory in origin, then the pH and the carbon dioxide will move in opposite directions. With a metabolic problem, the pH and bicarbonate move in the same direction. The respiratory problem could be either acidosis or alkalosis, depending on the blood gas values.
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