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Zorluk: KolayPhysiological Adaptation

A client is brought to the emergency department experiencing a severe panic attack. The client is acutely tachypneic with a respiratory rate of 34 breaths/minute and reports numbness and tingling in the fingers. Based on these clinical findings, which acid-base imbalance should the nurse suspect?

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

Cevap

Respiratory alkalosis
The correct answer is respiratory alkalosis. When a client experiences a panic attack and hyperventilates, they exhale excessive amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2). Because CO2 acts as an acid in the body, its rapid removal causes the blood pH to increase, resulting in an alkalotic state of respiratory origin. The reported numbness and tingling in the fingers are classic signs of the neuromuscular irritability that accompanies alkalosis.

Adım Adım Çözüm

1
Identify the primary physiological change occurring in the client.
The client is hyperventilating (respiratory rate of 34 breaths/minute).
Tachypnea during a panic attack directly alters gas exchange in the lungs.
2
Determine the effect of hyperventilation on arterial carbon dioxide (PaCO2) levels.
Excessive carbon dioxide is exhaled, lowering the PaCO2 level in the blood (hypocapnia).
Carbon dioxide acts as an acid in the blood; rapid and deep breathing blows off this CO2, reducing overall acidity.
3
Correlate the decreased PaCO2 with the resulting acid-base imbalance.
A primary deficit in carbon dioxide causes the blood pH to rise, leading to respiratory alkalosis.
Because the imbalance originates from altered breathing patterns, it is classified as a respiratory condition.

Anahtar Kavram

Respiratory Alkalosis secondary to hyperventilation
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Physiological Adaptation

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