An older 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 within 30 minutes. Which acid
1. respiratory acidosis
2. metabolic acidosis
3. respiratory alkalosis
4. metabolic alkalosis
Correct Answer: 1
Acute respiratory acidosis occurs due to a sudden failure of ventilation. Overdoses of narcotic or sedative medications can lead to this condition. Respiratory alkalosis is characterized by anxiety with hyperventilation. The patient condition being described is respiratory, not metabolic, in nature.
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