A client's ABG results are: pH 7.30, PaCO2 50 mmHg, HCO3 24 mEq/L. Which interpretation is most accurate?

Choice A rationale

Administering 2 tablets is the correct action because the ordered dose is 500 mg and each available tablet contains 250 mg. By providing two of these tablets, the nurse delivers the exact amount prescribed. This calculation is a basic nursing competency used to ensure medication safety. Giving the correct number of tablets prevents underdosing, which would result in subtherapeutic levels of the medication, and overdosing, which could lead to toxicity or adverse reactions for the patient.

Choice B rationale

Administering 1 tablet would only provide 250 mg of the medication, which is exactly half of the 500 mg dose that was ordered by the healthcare provider. Providing only one tablet would result in a medication error categorized as underdosing. This would fail to meet the therapeutic needs of the patient and could lead to a worsening of the condition being treated, as the drug concentration in the bloodstream would not reach the necessary level for effectiveness.

Choice C rationale

Administering 1.5 tablets would provide a total dose of 375 mg, as 250 mg multiplied by 1.5 equals 375 mg. This amount is still 125 mg short of the required 500 mg dose. While closer than a single tablet, it remains an incorrect dosage that would not fulfill the prescriber's order. Nursing practice requires precise calculation to ensure that the patient receives the specific amount of active ingredient necessary to produce the desired physiological response without error.

Choice D rationale

Administering 0.5 tablets would only provide 125 mg of the medication, which is significantly less than the 500 mg dose required for the patient. Such a small amount would be entirely insufficient for treating the patient's condition. In clinical practice, the nurse must always verify the dose on hand against the dose ordered. Using a half tablet in this scenario would be a clear mathematical error and a violation of the rights of medication administration.

Choice A rationale

Peripheral vasodilation occurs when the smooth muscles in the walls of arterioles relax, allowing more blood to flow to the skins surface. This mechanism facilitates the transfer of internal body heat to the external environment through radiation and convection. By increasing cutaneous blood flow, the body effectively sheds excess thermal energy to maintain a stable internal core temperature of approximately 37 degrees Celsius, which is essential for preserving cellular enzymatic functions and metabolic homeostasis.

Choice B rationale

Increased metabolic activity is a thermogenic process that generates heat rather than promoting its loss. When the basal metabolic rate rises, the body consumes more oxygen and nutrients to produce adenosine triphosphate, resulting in heat as a byproduct. This physiological response is typically activated during cold exposure or fever to raise body temperature. Therefore, it is counterproductive when the body is already above normal temperature and needs to cool down to prevent hyperthermia.

Choice C rationale

Shivering is an involuntary physical response characterized by rapid, rhythmic muscle contractions that generate significant amounts of heat through friction and metabolic consumption. It is a primary mechanism for thermogenesis used by the body to counteract hypothermia. If the body temperature is already elevated, shivering would further increase the thermal load, potentially leading to heat exhaustion or heat stroke. This response is inhibited by the hypothalamus when the body needs to facilitate heat dissipation.

Choice D rationale

Peripheral vasoconstriction involves the narrowing of blood vessels near the skin surface to redirect blood toward the internal organs. This process minimizes heat loss to the environment and is a critical response to cold stress. By reducing the volume of blood reaching the skin, the body conserves its internal core temperature. In a state of hyperthermia, vasoconstriction would prevent necessary heat loss, causing the internal temperature to rise even further and risking systemic damage.