Critical Care Nursing Questions Related

Review Critical Care Nursing Questions related questions and content

The nurse assesses a patient who is admitted for an overdo se of sedatives. The nurse expects to find which acid-base alteration?

  • A. Hyperventilation and respiratory acidosis
  • B. Hypoventilation and respiratory acidosis
  • C. Hypoventilation and respiratory alkalosis
  • D. Respiratory acidosis and normal oxygen levels
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Hypoventilation and respiratory acidosis. When a patient overdoses on sedatives, it can lead to respiratory depression causing hypoventilation. Hypoventilation results in retention of CO2, leading to respiratory acidosis. This is because the body is not effectively exhaling CO2, causing an increase in carbonic acid levels and a decrease in blood pH. The other choices are incorrect because hyperventilation would lead to respiratory alkalosis (Choice A), hypoventilation does not cause respiratory alkalosis (Choice C), and normal oxygen levels do not indicate the acid-base imbalance caused by sedative overdose (Choice D).