A nurse is reviewing ABG results for a client who has COPD. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
PaCO2 48 mm Hg (35 to 45 mm Hg)
HCO3- 25 mEq/L (21 to 28 mEq/L)
PaO2 85 mm Hg (80 to 100 mm Hg)
pH 7.38 (7.35 to 7.45)
The Correct Answer is A
Rationale:
A. PaCO2 48 mm Hg (35 to 45 mm Hg): In COPD, the body may have difficulty exhaling carbon dioxide, leading to elevated PaCO2 levels. A PaCO2 of 48 mm Hg indicates hypercapnia, especially in advanced stages where respiratory function is impaired.
B. HCO3- 25 mEq/L (21 to 28 mEq/L): HCO3- (bicarbonate) is within the normal range in the acute phase of COPD exacerbation. However, in chronic cases of COPD, bicarbonate levels may increase as the kidneys compensate for respiratory acidosis over time.
C. PaO2 85 mm Hg (80 to 100 mm Hg): A PaO2 of 85 mm Hg is within the normal range, but in clients with COPD, oxygen levels are often lower due to impaired gas exchange. It is common to see PaO2 values closer to or below 60 mm Hg in individuals with COPD.
D. pH 7.38 (7.35 to 7.45): A pH of 7.38 is normal and does not indicate acid-base imbalance. COPD clients often have a tendency towards respiratory acidosis, which may lower the pH, especially during exacerbations, but this value is not concerning for an acute problem.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Rationale:
A. Flumazenil: Flumazenil is used to reverse the effects of benzodiazepines, not opioids like morphine. It would not be effective in this situation since the client is experiencing respiratory depression due to morphine use.
B. Diphenhydramine: Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine, and while it may help with symptoms like itching, it does not reverse respiratory depression caused by opioids. It is not appropriate for this scenario.
C. Naloxone: Naloxone is an opioid antagonist used to reverse the effects of opioid overdose, including respiratory depression. It is the appropriate medication to administer in this situation to quickly reverse the respiratory depression caused by morphine.
D. Calcium gluconate: Calcium gluconate is used to treat calcium channel blocker overdose or certain types of hyperkalemia, but it is not effective for reversing respiratory depression caused by opioids.
Correct Answer is ["A","C","F","G"]
Explanation
Rationale:
A. Pain level: The client's pain level decreased from 7/10 to 5/10 after 2 doses of nitroglycerin, which indicates that the treatment is effective in reducing the chest pain associated with myocardial infarction (MI).
B. Urinary output: The client's urinary output (32 mL) is still low compared to intake (500 mL), suggesting potential renal perfusion issues. Urine output should be more closely monitored as it may indicate worsening shock or poor kidney perfusion.
C. Blood pressure: The client's blood pressure has decreased from 176/82 mm Hg to 110/62 mm Hg. A drop in blood pressure, especially after treatment with nitroglycerin and morphine, suggests that the heart's workload is reducing and the condition is stabilizing.
D. Respiratory rate: The respiratory rate has decreased slightly from 24/min to 22/min, but it still remains elevated. This may indicate ongoing respiratory distress or the need for further assessment and stabilization of the respiratory system.
E. Echocardiogram results: The echocardiogram results indicate a myocardial infarction, which means that while the condition is identified, it does not yet suggest improvement. Further monitoring and interventions are required to prevent further damage to the heart muscle.
F. Oxygen saturation: Oxygen saturation improved from 89% on room air to 92% with supplemental oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal cannula. This increase indicates better oxygenation, which is crucial for recovery in a patient with a myocardial infarction.
G. Heart rate: The client's heart rate decreased from 120/min to 100/min. This reduction indicates improvement in the heart's rhythm and better control of tachycardia, which is important for the stabilization of the patient following MI.
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