A client with liver disease presents with the following laboratory results: serum albumin 4.6 g/dL (normal range: 3.5-5.5 g/dL), serum ammonia 62 mcg/dL (normal range: 15-45 mcg/dL), hematocrit 41% (normal range: 37-47%), PT 13 seconds (normal range: 11-12.5 sec). Which assessment findings are consistent with these values?

Choice A reason: Evaluating pupil reactions every shift is important for neurological assessment but is not directly related to monitoring tissue perfusion.

Choice B reason: Assessing temperature every 4 hours is a standard monitoring procedure for sepsis but does not specifically address tissue perfusion.

Choice C reason: Monitoring for cyanosis is a direct method to assess tissue perfusion. Cyanosis, a bluish discoloration of the skin, indicates poor oxygenation and is a sign of decreased tissue perfusion.

Choice D reason: Checking reflexes is part of a neurological assessment and, while important, it does not directly monitor tissue perfusion.

Choice A reason: A pH of 7.48 is above the normal range (7.35–7.45), indicating a state of alkalosis, not acidosis. A PaCO2 of 31 mm Hg is below the normal range (35–45 mm Hg), which could indicate respiratory alkalosis if it were the primary disorder. An HCO3 level of 26 mEq/L is within the normal range (22–26 mEq/L) and does not suggest metabolic acidosis. Therefore, this choice does not reflect the metabolic acidosis seen in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).
Choice B reason: A pH of 7.42 is within the normal range, and a PaCO2 of 39 mm Hg is also within the normal range, suggesting neither acidosis nor alkalosis. An HCO3 level of 25 mEq/L is within the normal range and does not indicate the metabolic acidosis characteristic of DKA. Thus, this choice does not match the expected ABG results for DKA.
Choice C reason: A pH of 7.34 is just below the normal range, indicating a slight acidosis1. A PaCO2 of 40 mm Hg is within the normal range, suggesting that the primary issue is not respiratory. An HCO3 level of 21 mEq/L is slightly below the normal range, which could suggest a mild metabolic acidosis. However, the changes are not as pronounced as typically seen in DKA, where more significant acidosis is expected.
Choice D reason: A pH of 7.17 is significantly below the normal range, indicating severe acidosis1. A PaCO2 of 69 mm Hg is well above the normal range, which would usually suggest respiratory acidosis. However, in the context of DKA, a compensatory respiratory alkalosis often occurs, and the elevated PaCO2 may indicate a mixed acid-base disorder. An HCO3 level of 25 mEq/L is within the normal range, but given the low pH, it suggests that the body has been compensating for an acid-base disturbance. This choice most closely aligns with the metabolic acidosis and the compensatory respiratory changes expected in DKA.