Question

7. The physician has ordered intubation and mechanical ventilation for a client with periods of apnea following a closed head injury. Arterial blood gases reveal a pH of 7.47, PCO2 of 28, and HCO3 of 23. These findings indicate t client has: A. Respiratory acidosis. B. Respiratory alkalosis C. Metabolic acidosis D. Metabolic alkalosis

Answer 1

B) Respiratory alkalosis is the right answer because the patient lab values undiucates that patient is having the above diagnosois.

respiratory alkalosis criteria:

* normal blood pH is between 7.35- 7.45

* blood ph above 7.45 indicates alkalosis

* normal PCO₂ is 35- 45 mmHg

* PCO₂ below 35 mmHg indicates respiratory alkalosis

( patient value is pH- 7.47 (increased) PCO₂ - 28( decreased) this values indicates that the patient has respiratory alkalosis)

The rest of the options are rejected because

a) respiratory acidosis ( the pH must be less than 7.35) here the patients blood pH is slightly increased because the patient ishaing respiratory alkalosis. hence option a is rejected.

c) Metaolic acidosis ( the pH should be less than 7.35 and HCO₃ should be between 22- 26 meq/litre) here the patients HCO₃ is normal and hence the optiuon is rejected.

d) Metabolic alkalosis ( the pH is greater than 7.45 and HCO₃ should be be more than 26 meq/litre) hence the option is rejected because the patient value of HCO₃ is normal