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Difficulty: EasyPhysiological Adaptation

A nurse is assessing a client who was brought to the emergency department experiencing a severe panic attack. The client is visibly agitated and has been hyperventilating for the past twenty minutes. Based on this respiratory pattern, which of the following acid-base imbalances should the nurse expect?

  1. Respiratory alkalosisAnswer
  2. B
    Respiratory acidosis
  3. C
    Metabolic acidosis
  4. D
    Metabolic alkalosis

Answer

Respiratory alkalosis
The correct answer is respiratory alkalosis because hyperventilation causes the body to exhale too much carbon dioxide. Since carbon dioxide acts as an acid in the blood, its excessive loss leads to a decrease in hydrogen ion concentration and an increase in blood pH, creating an alkalotic state.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the client's clinical presentation.
The client is experiencing a panic attack and is hyperventilating.
Identifying the root physiological change is necessary to determine the potential acid-base imbalance.
2
Determine the physiological effect of hyperventilation.
Rapid, deep breathing causes an excessive exhalation of carbon dioxide (CO2).
CO2 acts as an acid in the body. Understanding its movement explains the shift in blood pH.
3
Correlate the loss of CO2 with the specific acid-base imbalance.
A deficit of carbonic acid (from exhaled CO2) leads to an increased blood pH, resulting in respiratory alkalosis.
The primary cause is respiratory in nature, and the loss of acid creates an alkaline state.

Key Concept

Respiratory Alkalosis secondary to Hyperventilation
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Topics

Physiological Adaptation

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