A patient presents to the emergency department complaining of sudden onset of increased weakness and tingling of the lower extremities that has progressed to the upper arms. The patient is diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome
The patient's respiratory rate is 8; blood pressure is 86/48. The patient is being prepared for intubation. What would the nurse anticipate the blood gases to reveal? 1. High pH
2. High PaCO2
3. High HCO3
4. Low PaCO2
2
Rationale 1: The nurse would anticipate the pH to be low (acidic) because a high level of CO2 will increase the acidity of the blood.
Rationale 2: The nurse would anticipate the patient with progressing Guillain-Barré to have hypoventilation, which results in high PaCO2 levels. The respiratory rate of 8 also would indicate hypoventilation.
Rationale 3: There is no indication that Guillian Barré and hypoventilation would result in metabolic changes causing high HCO3.
Rationale 4: A low PaCO2 results with tachypnea, which this patient does not have.
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