Practice Quiz

NCLEX-RN

Category - Physiological

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A non-smoker, non-alcohol-using 48-year-old woman came to the hospital reporting shortness of breath that started two months ago. Blood was extracted to confirm a diagnosis of respiratory alkalosis which may be caused by an anxiety attack. Which of the following ABG results confirms respiratory alkalosis?
  1. pH = 7.41, PaCO2 = 37 mmHg, PaO2 = 94 mmHg, HCO3 = 23 mEq/L
  2. pH = 7.45, PaCO2 = 40 mmHg, PaO2 = 89mmHg, HCO3 = 23 mEq/L
  3. pH = 7.60, PaCO2 = 30 mmHg, PaO2 = 90mmHg, HCO3 = 29mEq/L
  4. pH = 7.30, PaCO2 = 80mmHg, PaO2= 92mmHg, HCO3 = 21mEq/L
Explanation
Answer: C - A primary respiratory alkalosis will have the following parameters: a blood pH lower than 7.4, PaCO2 lower than 35, and HCO3 greater than 26. Options A and B are normal ABG results, while option D indicates metabolic acidosis. Acid base imbalance is managed by treating the underlying cause rather than the symptoms.
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