An older adult client is hospitalized after a severe bout of gastroenteritis with frequent liquid stools over the last three days. The laboratory reports the following arterial blood gas values: pH , , and . Based on these results, which primary acid-base imbalance should the nurse identify?
- Metabolic acidosisCevap
- BMetabolic alkalosis
- CRespiratory acidosis
- DRespiratory alkalosis
Cevap
The client is experiencing metabolic acidosis.
The correct answer is metabolic acidosis because the arterial blood gas results show a low pH (), indicating acidosis, paired with a low bicarbonate level (). The normal () confirms that the primary disturbance is metabolic, which aligns with the clinical history of excessive lower gastrointestinal bicarbonate loss through severe diarrhea.
Adım Adım Çözüm
Anahtar Kavram
Interpretation of uncompensated acid-base imbalances using arterial blood gas values.