An elderly postoperative patient is demonstrating lethargy, confusion, and a respiratory rate of 8 per minute
The nurse sees that the last dose of pain medication administered via a patient-controlled anesthesia (PCA) pump was less than 30 minutes ago. This patient is most likely experiencing which acid-base disorder? 1. Respiratory acidosis
2. Metabolic acidosis
3. Respiratory alkalosis
4. Metabolic alkalosis
1
Rationale 1: Acute respiratory acidosis occurs due to a sudden failure of ventilation. Overdose of narcotic or sedative medications can lead to this condition.
Rationale 2: The patient's condition is respiratory, not metabolic, in nature.
Rationale 3: Respiratory alkalosis is more likely to be caused by overventilation, resulting in the reduction of carbon dioxide.
Rationale 4: The patient's condition is respiratory, not metabolic, in nature.
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What will be an ideal response?
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