A patient has coronary artery bypass graft surgery and is transported to the surgical intensive care unit at noon. He is placed on mechanical ventilation. Interpret his initial arterial blood gas levels:
pH 7.31
PaCO2 48 mm Hg
Bicarbonate 22 mEq/L
PaO2 115 mm Hg
O2 saturation 99%
a. Normal arterial blood gas levels with a high oxygen level
b. Partly compensated respiratory acidosis, normal oxygen
c. Uncompensated metabolic acidosis with high oxygen levels
d. Uncompensated respiratory acidosis; hyperoxygenated
D
The high PaO2 level reflects hyperoxygenation; the PaCO2 and pH levels show respiratory acidosis. The respiratory acidosis is uncompensated as indicated by a pH of 7.31 (acidosis) and a normal bicarbonate level. No metabolic compensation has occurred.
You might also like to view...
A client and his wife have just been given information about his prognosis by the health care provider
The nurse enters the room to administer the client's scheduled medication when his wife snaps, "I don't know why you're even in here! You are doing nothing but using my husband as a guinea pig!" The nurse returns in a few minutes bringing some hot tea for the client's wife. Which of these behaviors does the nurse illustrate in this situation? a. empathy c. respect b. genuineness d. warmth
The nurse is reviewing the importance of role learning for children. The nurse understands that children's roles are primarily shaped by which members?
a. Peers b. Parents c. Siblings d. Grandparents
The client has exactly 8.0 R-R intervals in 150 small blocks on the ECG paper. Based on this information, the nurse calculates the client's ventricular heart rate to be which of the follow-ing?
A. 40 beats/min B. 80 beats/min C. 160 beats/min D. The heart rate cannot be calculated from the information provided.
Which of the following is true of the use of psychomotor stimulants in the treatment of narcolepsy and hyperactivity?
A. Psychomotor stimulants decrease the activity of the sympathetic nervous system. B. Toxic doses of psychomotor stimulants may cause cardiac arrhythmias and nephritis. C. Amphetamines have the disadvantage of producing drug tolerance and dependence. D. All of the above are correct.