Acid Base Imbalances

metabolic acidosis

pH < 7.35 HCO3 < 22

respiratory acidosis

pH > 7.35, PaCO2 > 45, HCO3 >26

metabolic alkalosis

pH > 7.45 HCO3 > 26

respiratory alkalosis

pH > 7.45 PaCO2 < 35

compensation

process by which the body attempts to correct changes and imbalances in pH levels

Normal pH

7.35-7.45

A charge nurse is teaching a group of nurses about conditions related to metabolic acidosis. Which of the following statements by a unit nurse indicates the teaching has been effective? a. "Metabolic acidosis can occur due to diabetic ketoacidosis." b. "Metabolic acidosis can occur in a client who has myasthenia gravis." c. "Metabolic acidosis can occur i a client who has asthma." d. "Metabolic acidosis can occur due to cancer."

A

A nurse is caring for a client who was in a motor-vehicle accident. The client reports chest pain and difficulty breathing. A chest x-ray reveals the client has a pneumothorax. Which of the following arterial blood gas findings should the nurse expect? a. pH 7.06, PaO2 86, PaCO2 52, HCO3 24 b. pH7.42, PaO2 100, PaCO2 38, HCO3 23 c. pH 6.98, PaO2 100, PaCO2 30, HCO3 18 d. pH 7.58, PaO2 96, PaCO2 38, HCO3 29

A

A nurse is caring for a client admitted with confusion and lethargy. The client was found at home unresponsive with an empty bottle of aspirin lying next to her bed. Vital signs reveal blood pressure 104/72, hr 116/min, w/regular rhythm, and resp. rate 42/min and deep. Which of the following arterial blood gas findings should the nurse expect? a. pH 7.68, PaO2 96, PaCO2 38, HCO3 28 b. pH 7.48, PaO2 100, PaCO2 28, HCO3 23 c. pH 6.98, PaO2 100, PaCO2 30, HCO3 18 d. pH 7.58, PaO2 96, PaCO2 38, HCO3 29

C

A nurse is obtaining arterial blood gases for a client who has vomited for 24hr. The nurse should expect which of the following acid-base imbalances to result from vomiting for 24 hr? a. respiratory acidosis b. respiratory alkalosis c. metabolic acidosis d. metabolic alkalosis

D

A nurse is assessing a client who has pancreatitis. The client's arterial blood gases reveal metabolic acidosis. Which of the following are expected findings? (Select all that apply) a. tachycardia b. hypertension c. bounding pulses d. hyperreflexia e. dysrhythmia f. tachypnea

E, F