A nurse assesses a client who is admitted with an acid-base imbalance. The client's arterial blood gas values are pH 7.32, PaO2 85 mm Hg, PaCO2 34 mm Hg, and HCO3- 16 mEq/L. What action should the nurse take next?
a. Assess client's rate, rhythm, and depth of respiration.
b. Measure the client's pulse and blood pressure.
c. Document the findings and continue to monitor.
d. Notify the physician as soon as possible.
ANS: A
Progressive skeletal muscle weakness is associated with increasing severity of acidosis. Muscle weakness can lead to severe respiratory insufficiency. Acidosis does lead to dysrhythmias (due to hyperkalemia), but these would best be assessed with cardiac monitoring. Findings should be documented, but simply continuing to monitor is not sufficient. Before notifying the physician, the nurse must have more data to report.
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