A nurse is evaluating a client who has a severe exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The client's most recent arterial blood gas (ABG) results show a pH of 7.31, PaCO2 of 62 mm Hg, and HCO3- of 34 mEq/L. Which of the following conclusions should the nurse draw regarding the client's physiological state based on these findings? (Select all that apply)
- The client is in a state of respiratory acidosis.Cevap
- The kidneys are actively retaining bicarbonate to buffer the blood.Cevap
- CThe primary acid-base imbalance is metabolic alkalosis.
- DThe client has achieved full compensation for the acid-base disorder.
- EThe lungs are effectively eliminating excess carbon dioxide.
Cevap
The correct conclusions are that the client is experiencing respiratory acidosis and that the kidneys are retaining bicarbonate as a compensatory mechanism.
The client's pH of 7.31 reflects an acidotic state. The elevated PaCO2 of 62 mm Hg points to a respiratory cause, defining the condition as respiratory acidosis. The kidneys are responding to this by holding onto bicarbonate, as evidenced by the elevated HCO3- of 34 mEq/L, which is the expected physiological adaptation to buffer the excess acid.
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Anahtar Kavram
Interpretation of arterial blood gas (ABG) values and recognition of physiological compensatory mechanisms in acid-base imbalances.