RN NCLEX Next Gen Questions Related

Review RN NCLEX Next Gen Questions related questions and content

A client experiencing a mild panic attack has the following arterial blood gas (ABG) results: pH 7.49, PCO2 31 mm Hg, PaO2 97 mm Hg, HCO3 22 mEq/L. The nurse reviews the results and determines that the client has which acid-base disturbance?

  • A. Metabolic acidosis
  • B. Metabolic alkalosis
  • C. Respiratory acidosis
  • D. Respiratory alkalosis
Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Acidosis is defined as a pH of less than 7.35, whereas alkalosis is defined as a pH of greater than 7.45. Respiratory alkalosis is present when the PCO2 is less than 35, whereas respiratory acidosis is present when the PCO2 is greater than 45. Metabolic acidosis is present when the HCO3 is less than 22 mEq/L, whereas metabolic alkalosis is present when the HCO3 is greater than 26 mEq/L. This client's ABGs are consistent with respiratory alkalosis.