Question

A patient has bluish discoloration of the skin and increased respirations. Which laboratory test would the nurse expect the health care provider to prescribe for this patient?

1) Pulmonary function tests
2) Arterial blood gas analysis
3) Blood creatinine analysis
4) White blood cell (WBC) count

Answer 1

A health care provider would likely prescribe an arterial blood gas analysis for a patient with bluish discoloration of the skin and increased respirations, as it helps assess blood oxygen levels and potential acid-base imbalances. Option 2.

Step-by-step explanation:

A patient with bluish discoloration of the skin and increased respirations is exhibiting signs of hypoxemia, which is a lower-than-normal level of oxygen in the blood. This can be a result of respiratory conditions such as pneumonia or asthma. In a clinical setting, a health care provider would very likely prescribe an arterial blood gas analysis option 2, to measure the levels of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and to assess the blood's pH, which will help determine the respiratory status and any acid-base imbalances. The characteristics described, such as bluish discoloration and rapid breathing, are typical signs of an abnormal gas exchange, making the arterial blood gas analysis the most pertinent test among the options provided.