Question

WEER SASIUN VIENINI Case Study. Chapter 8, Disorders of Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Balance A nurse has just been assigned to care for three patients: A, B, and C. Selected lab work for each patient is listed below Patient C Patient A Patient B 138 mEq/L 142 mEq/L 5.1 mEq/L 6.1 mEq/L 8.9 mg/dL 7.5 mg/dl. 1.3 mg/dL. 0.9 mg/dl. 7.40 7.32 PCO2 42 mm Hg 48 mm Hg PO: 95% 98% HCO (Learning Objectives: 13-16, 19-22, 32, and 33) 148 mEq/L 3.8 mEq/L 9.5 mg/dL 2.1 mg/dL. 7.42 40 mm Hg 99% 22 26 7. What body system will attempt to compensate?

Answer 1

(This is for patient B)

According to his ABG lab values, he has increased pCO2 and reduced pH. This send the body into a state of respiratory acidosis. To compensate for this, the body reduces the excretion of HCO3- so as to induce metabolic alkalosis. Sensing the decreased physiological pH, the kidneys attempt to restore homeostasis by retaining bicarbonate to counteract the increase H+. This is a neutralisation reaction and the body returns to its normal pH.