Porth's PrepU PathoPhysiology assignment 2

A client has been admitted to the hospital after losing 20 kg (44 lb) over the past 3 months, largely due to frequent induction of vomiting. What intervention should the nurse anticipate in the treatment of the client's resulting acid-base imbalance?

Fluid replacement with an intravenous solution containing KCl as prescribed

The nurse is caring for a client with acute primary respiratory acidosis. When determining the cause of the acidosis the nurse is aware that which imbalance is most common?

Impaired alveolar ventilation

Which arterial blood gas (ABG) values leads the nurse to suspect a client has developed respiratory acidosis? Select all that apply.

PCO2 of 57mm Hg (7.58 kPa) pH 7.32

A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) receives oxygen in the emergency department at a rate of 4 L/min for acute respiratory distress. Later, the nurse finds the client unresponsive with a respiratory rate of 8/minute. What ABG values would the nurse expect to obtain?

pH 7.29, pCO2 67mm Hg, HCO3- 26 mEq/L, pO2 64mm Hg

A client has been diagnosed with respiratory alkalosis. What assessment finding should the nurse anticipate? Select all that apply.

pH above 7.45 PCO2 34 mm/hg (4.52 kPa) HCO3 19 mEq/L (19 mmol/L)

The nurse caring for a client with respiratory alkalosis examines arterial blood gas (ABG) results. Which change from the initial value indicates the client's respiratory alkalosis is improving?

pH has decreased

A client has an increase in her anion gap (AG). What does the nurse determine is the significance of this finding?

It indicates the client has metabolic acidosis.

The nurse is caring for a client with renal failure experiencing shortness of breath and increased respiratory rate. The arterial blood gas reflects a pH of 7.10 and HCO3 level of 18 mEq/L (18 mmol/L). How does the nurse interpret these findings?

Metabolic acidosis

The renal control mechanism of restoring the acid-base balance is accomplished through which process?

Reabsorption of HCO3 and excretion of H+ restores acid-base balance through the renal control mechanisms.

A client with a long history of alcohol abuse has been admitted to the emergency department after several of days of heavy drinking. The nurse can best promote the restoration of the client's acid-base balance by:

administering intravenous sodium bicarbonate as prescribed.