Question

A nurse is assessing a client who is using a PCA following a thoracotomy. The client is short of breath, appears restless, and respiration are 28/min. The ABG results of the client are as follows:

pH 7.52, PaO2 89, PaCO2 28, HCO3 24
Which of the following actions should the nurse make?
A. Administer oxygen at a higher flow rate.
B. Increase the PCA dosage.
C. Administer sodium bicarbonate.
D. Encourage slow, deep breathing exercises.

Answer 1

The client's ABG results indicate respiratory alkalosis. The best course of action is to encourage slow, deep breathing exercises to correct the pH imbalance.

Step-by-step explanation:

A nurse is assessing a client who is using Patient-Controlled Analgesia (PCA) following a thoracotomy. The client appears short of breath, restless, and has respirations of 28/min. The Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) results show: pH 7.52, PaO2 89, PaCO2 28, HCO3 24. Based on the ABG results, the client has a respiratory alkalosis, indicating a primary decrease in carbon dioxide levels (PaCO2) with a near-normal bicarbonate level (HCO3). This is consistent with the elevated pH. Given the patient's shortness of breath and high respiratory rate, the appropriate action would be to encourage slow, deep breathing exercises to increase CO2 levels and adjust the pH towards normal.