Question

A client arrives in the emergency department with epigastric pain and prolonged vomiting. Assessment findings include rapid and shallow respirations, dry and flushed skin, weakness, and lethargy. Which is the primary nursing concern?

Answer 1

Metabolic alkalosis

Step-by-step explanation:

• If the pH of the tissue is elevated beyond the normal pH range of 7.3 - 7.4 then the condition is termed as Metabolic alkalosis.
• Metabolic alkalosis is caused when the hydrogen ion concentration in the body decreases due to an increase in the bicarbonate ions.
• It usually occurs in case the kidney fails to function adequately.
• This condition is associated with several symptoms such as shallow respiration, weakness, lethargy, epigastric pain, tetany, abnormal heart rhythms, etc.
• Since the client arriving in an emergency is showing all these symptoms the primary nursing concern should be to treat metabolic alkalosis.