Question

A client with heart failure has not slept for the past 3 nights because of dyspnea. arterial blood gas (abg) analysis reveals ph, 7.32; pao2, 79 mm hg; paco2, 50 mm hg; and hco3–, 29 meq/l. what is the priority nursing intervention for this client?

Answer 1

Increase paCO₂ to reduce the HCO₃ - levels and increase the pH.

Step-by-step explanation:

Normal levels:

pH: 7,40±5

pa O₂: 88 - 100 mm Hg

pa CO₂: 40±4 mm Hg

HCO₃-: 24±2 mm Hg

Applying the Henderson equation pH= HCO₃/ pCO₂ the nurse can help the client.

The client's Ph is a little lower he or she has respiratory acidosis. In order to return the client to normal levels the nurse has to increase the paCO₂

Answer 2

The priority nursing intervention for this client is FOR THE NURSE TO TAKE CARE OF THE IMPAIRED GAS EXCHANGE.
Dyspnea is a medical condition in which the affected individuals have difficulty in breathing properly, that is, such individuals usually experience shortness of breath. Shortness of breath is one of the symptoms that are associated with heart failure. In the scenario given above, the first thing for the nurse to do is to ensure that the patient is breathing normally again, before setting out to take care of other things.