Practice Quiz

CEN Practice Exam (Certified Emergency Nurse)

Category - Respiratory

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You are caring for an unconscious patient who has had an arterial blood gas drawn. The results reveal a pH of 7.30, low bicarbonate, a normal carbon dioxide level, normal oxygen level and an elevated potassium level. What would the diagnosis be for this patient based on the laboratory results?
  1. Metabolic acidosis
  2. Respiratory acidosis
  3. Combined respiratory and metabolic acidosis
  4. Overcompensated respiratory acidosis
Explanation
Answer: A - This patient is in metabolic acidosis. With acidosis, the pH is always low. Low pH with low bicarbonate points to metabolic acidosis.
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