A client is admitted to the hospital after vomiting for 3 days. Which arterial blood gas results would the nurse expect to find in this client?
1. pH 7.30; PaCO2 50; HCO3 27
2. pH 7.47; PaCO2 43; HCO3 28
3. pH 7.43; PaCO2 50; HCO3 28
4. pH 7.47; PaCO2 30; HCO3 23
Correct Answer: 2
Rationale: The nurse would expect that this client is alkalotic because stomach acids have been lost, so the pH would be above 7.45. This is a metabolic problem, so the PaCO2 is likely normal. The HCO3 will likely be high (above 26). The only option that includes all of these parameters is pH 7.47; PaCO2 43; HCO3 28.
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