Question

A nurse is caring for a client who has respiratory depression following opioid administration to control cancer-related pain. The client's ABG results are ph 7.28, PaCO2 49 mm Hg, and HCO3 24 mEq/L. Based on these findings, the nurse should identify that the client has which of the following acid-base imbalances?A: Metabolic acidosis

B: Metabolic alkalosis
C: Respiratory acidosis
D: Respiratory alkalosis

Answer 1

The client has respiratory acidosis. There is an increase in carbon dioxide levels, causing the blood pH to decrease. The kidneys partially compensate by retaining more bicarbonate.

Step-by-step explanation:

The ABG results of pH 7.28, PaCO2 49 mm Hg, and HCO3 24 mEq/L indicate that the client has respiratory acidosis. In respiratory acidosis, there is an increase in carbon dioxide (PaCO2) levels, causing the blood pH to decrease. The normal pH range is 7.35-7.45, so a pH of 7.28 indicates acidity.

Respiratory acidosis can occur due to conditions that decrease breathing efficiency, such as opioid-induced respiratory depression. This leads to inadequate removal of carbon dioxide from the body, resulting in its accumulation in the bloodstream.

In response to respiratory acidosis, the kidneys attempt to compensate by retaining more bicarbonate (HCO3-) to increase the pH. However, in this case, the HCO3 level remains within the normal range (although the low end), indicating partial compensation.