Question

Which blood gas result will the nurse expect to observe in a patient with respiratory alkalosis?

1) pH 7.60, PaCO₂40 mm Hg, HCO₃- 30 mEq/L
2) pH 7.53, PaCO₂30 mm Hg, HCO₃- 24 mEq/L
3) pH 7.35, PaCO₂35 mm Hg, HCO₃- 26 mEq/L
4) pH 7.25, PaCO₂48 mm Hg, HCO₃- 23 mEq/L

Answer 1

The nurse would expect to observe respiratory alkalosis with an elevated pH level above 7.45 and a decreased PaCO₂ indicating a CO₂ deficiency; however, none of the options perfectly match. The option that comes closest is a 2) pH of 7.53, PaCO₂ of 30 mm Hg, and HCO₃- of 24 mEq/L.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the scenario described, the nurse would expect to observe respiratory alkalosis in a patient with a blood gas result of pH 7.60, PaCO₂ 40 mm Hg, and HCO₃- 30 mEq/L. However, none of the given options perfectly match the expected blood gas results for respiratory alkalosis. For respiratory alkalosis, one would expect an elevated pH level above 7.45, a decreased PaCO₂ lower than the normal range, indicating a CO₂ deficiency in the bloodstream, and normal or decreased HCO₃- as renal compensation occurs. The closest match from the provided options is Option 2: pH 7.53, PaCO₂ 30 mm Hg, HCO₃- 24 mEq/L, as it shows an elevated pH and lowered PaCO₂, both of which are indicative of respiratory alkalosis, although the HCO₃- is actually within the normal range for compensatory reasons.