Question

The nurse is caring for a client with respiratory insufficiency. The arterial blood gas (ABG) results indicate a pH of 7.50 and a Pco2 of 30 mm Hg, and the nurse is told that the client is experiencing respiratory alkalosis. Which additional laboratory value would the nurse expect to note?

A. A sodium level of 145 mEq/L
B. A potassium level of C.0 mEq/L
C. A magnesium level of A.3 mEq/L
D. A phosphorus level of C.0 mg/dL

Answer 1

In respiratory alkalosis, the nurse would expect to note a decreased bicarbonate level as an additional laboratory value.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a client is experiencing respiratory alkalosis, it means that there is a deficiency of carbon dioxide in the bloodstream. To compensate for this imbalance, the kidneys will eliminate more bicarbonate, resulting in a decrease in the concentration of bicarbonate in the blood. Therefore, the nurse would expect to note a decreased bicarbonate level as an additional laboratory value.