A client is admitted to the hospital with sudden, severe abdominal pain. Which of the following values in the arterial blood gas would the nurse expect?
1. pH is 7.33
2. PaCO2 is 28
3. H2CO3- is 30
4. PaO2 is 88
2. PaCO2 is 28
Rationale:
Acute pain usually causes hyperventilation, which causes the CO2 to drop and the client to experience respiratory alkalosis. The pH would denote alkalosis and would be higher than 7.45. H2CO3- would trend downwards as the kidneys begin to compensate for the alkalosis by excreting H2CO3. The PaO2 is likely to be normal unless the client has been hyperventilating for a long time and is beginning to tire.
You might also like to view...
The nurse explains to a client suffering from muscular spasms that which of the following CAM therapies would potentially be the most helpful in relieving the spasm?
1. Pet therapy 2. Music therapy 3. Acupuncture 4. Herbalism
A child is taking azathioprine (Imuran) for moderate Crohn's disease. Which assessment finding best indicates that an important goal related to this medication has been met?
A. The child has not developed seasonal illnesses. B. Edema and fluid retention have been eliminated. C. Stools are more solid and passed less often. D. Weight gain has been consistent at each visit.
A nurse is informing a nursing student about the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for hand asepsis. Which guideline is in compliance with the CDC guidelines for hand washing?
A) Washing when hands are visibly soiled B) Washing only after removing gloves C) Washing hands for 5 to 10 seconds D) Washing when initiating contact with another client
Prepare a 12.5 mg dose from a label reading 6.25 mg/mL
What will be an ideal response?