A heavily sedated postoperative patient has shallow respirations at a rate of 12 breaths per minute. This patient is at risk for which acid–base disturbance?
1. metabolic acidosis
2. respiratory acidosis
3. metabolic alkalosis
4. respiratory alkalosis
2
Rationale: The patient is at risk for respiratory acidosis as a result of decreased, shallow respirations that can cause alveolar hypoventilation. Carbon dioxide is not being blown off and carbonic acid levels can rise. Alveolar hyperventilation would result in respiratory alkalosis. There is no indication of a metabolic component.
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