Which of the following is a risk factor for developing thromboembolism in the post surgical setting?

A. pH: Elevated (above 7.45), indicating alkalosis. PaCO₂: Decreased (below 35 mm Hg), reflecting hyperventilation and CO₂ loss. HCO₃⁻: Usually normal (around 24 mEq/L) or slightly decreased, as metabolic compensation might not be immediate. The results here show an elevated pH, decreased PaCO₂, and normal HCO₃⁻, which are consistent with respiratory alkalosis.
B. pH: Decreased (acidic), indicating acidosis. PaCO₂: Slightly elevated (near normal), not indicative of respiratory alkalosis. HCO₃⁻: Normal (around 26 mEq/L), suggesting no significant metabolic component or compensation. This profile does not match respiratory alkalosis; it is more consistent with a mixed or different type of acid-base imbalance.
C. pH: Decreased (acidic), indicating acidosis. PaCO₂: Elevated (above 45 mm Hg), indicating CO₂ retention, which is characteristic of respiratory acidosis, not alkalosis. HCO₃⁻: Normal (around 23 mEq/L), showing no significant metabolic compensation or disturbance. This profile indicates respiratory acidosis rather than respiratory alkalosis.
D. pH: Elevated (alkaline), which is consistent with alkalosis. PaCO₂: Normal (around 40 mm Hg), indicating that CO₂ levels are not the primary cause of the alkalosis. HCO₃⁻: Elevated (above 28 mEq/L), suggesting a metabolic alkalosis or compensation for a respiratory acidosis, but not respiratory alkalosis alone.

A. Sodium bicarbonate is used to treat metabolic acidosis, not respiratory alkalosis. It helps to neutralize excess acid in the blood, which is not the issue in respiratory alkalosis where the problem is a deficit of CO₂, not an excess of acid.
B. Placing the head between the knees might help with dizziness or lightheadedness but does not address the underlying issue of hyperventilation or help with CO₂ retention.
C. Breathing into a paper bag can help the client re-breathe exhaled CO₂, which helps to correct the imbalance caused by hyperventilation. This method assists in raising CO₂ levels in the blood, which can help normalize the pH and alleviate symptoms of respiratory alkalosis.
D. Insulin is used to manage blood glucose levels in diabetes and is not relevant to the treatment of respiratory alkalosis.