A nurse is caring for a patient who has acute kidney injury. The patient's ABG results are: pH: 7.26
PaCO2: 30 mm Hg HCO3: 14 mEq/L
Which of the following acid-base imbalances should the nurse identify the patient is experiencing?
Metabolic alkalosis
Respiratory acidosis
Metabolic acidosis
Respiratory alkalosis
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A reason: Metabolic alkalosis is characterized by a high pH and a high HCO3 level, which is not present in this scenario.
Choice B reason: Respiratory acidosis is characterized by a high PaCO2 and a low pH. Although the pH is low here, the PaCO2 is also low, ruling out respiratory acidosis.
Choice C reason: Metabolic acidosis is indicated by a low pH and a low HCO3 level, which aligns with the patient's ABG results.
Choice D reason: Respiratory alkalosis would present with a high pH and a low PaCO2, which is not the case here.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: Metabolic alkalosis is indicated by a high pH and a high HCO3 level. In this case, the pH is 7.5, which is above the normal range of 7.35-7.45, and the HCO3 is 32 mEq/L, which is above the normal range of 22-26 mEq/L.
Choice B reason: Respiratory acidosis is characterized by a high CO2 level and a low pH, which is not the case here as the CO2 is normal and the pH is high.
Choice C reason: Respiratory alkalosis typically presents with a low CO2 level and a high pH. Since the CO2 is normal, this condition does not fit the patient's ABG results.
Choice D reason: Metabolic acidosis would present with a low pH and a low HCO3 level. Given that both the pH and HCO3 are high, metabolic acidosis is not the correct diagnosis.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: A pH of 7.39 is near the lower end of the normal range (7.35-7.45) and would not typically indicate respiratory acidosis.
Choice B reason: A pH of 7.31 is below the normal range, indicating an acidic environment, which is consistent with respiratory acidosis.
Choice C reason: A pH of 7.48 is above the normal range, indicating a more alkaline environment, which would suggest respiratory alkalosis, not acidosis.
Choice D reason: A pH of 7.50 is also above the normal range and would indicate alkalosis rather than acidosis.
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