Question

A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative and has a respiratory rate of 9/min secondary to general anesthesia effects and incisional pain. Which of the following ABG values indicates the client is experiencing respiratory acidosis?

A. pH 7.50, PO2 95 mm Hg, PaCO2 25 mmHg, HCO3- 22 mEq/L

B. pH 7.50, PO2 87 mm Hg, PaCO2 35 mmHg, HCO3- 30 mEq/L

C. pH 7.30, PO2 90 mm Hg, PaCO2 35 mmHg, HCO3- 20 mEq/L

D. pH 7.30, PO2 80 mmHg, PaCO2 55 mmHg, HCO3- 22 mEq/L

Answer 1

The ABG value indicating respiratory acidosis is pH 7.30, PO2 80 mmHg, PaCO2 55 mmHg, HCO3- 22 mEq/L, as it shows a lower than normal pH and an elevated PaCO2, with normal bicarbonate levels, suggesting an uncompensated or partially compensated respiratory acidosis.

Step-by-step explanation:

The client with a respiratory rate of 9/min secondary to general anesthesia effects and incisional pain is experiencing respiratory acidosis, as indicated by the provided ABG values.

Among the options provided, the ABG values that indicate respiratory acidosis are:
D. pH 7.30, PO2 80 mmHg, PaCO2 55 mmHg, HCO3- 22 mEq/L
This is because the pH is below the normal range (7.35-7.45), indicating acidosis, and the PaCO2 is elevated above the normal range (35-45 mm Hg for females and 35-48 mm Hg for males), consistent with excess CO2 in the blood due to inadequate ventilation. The HCO3- level is within the normal range (22-29 mM), suggesting that compensation has not yet occurred or is incomplete. This aligns with the definition of respiratory acidosis, where there is an accumulation of CO2 leading to a decrease in pH.