Question

A 4-year-old-child is brought to the emergency department by a parent after being bitten by a non-venomous snake. The child is anxious and fearful, with a heart rate of 120 bpm and respirations of 42 bpm. The nurse anticipates the child developing which acid base imbalance?

Answer 1

The child is likely developing respiratory alkalosis due to anxiety and fear, resulting in hyperventilation and a decrease in carbon dioxide levels in the blood.

Step-by-step explanation:

The child being bitten by a non-venomous snake and displaying symptoms of anxiety and fear, increased heart rate (120 bpm), and increased respiration rate (42 bpm) suggests the development of respiratory alkalosis.

Respiratory alkalosis is an acid-base imbalance characterized by a decrease in carbon dioxide levels in the blood, leading to an increase in blood pH. It is caused by hyperventilation, which occurs in response to anxiety or fear, as well as other factors like fever or high altitude. In this case, the child's anxiety and fear likely triggered hyperventilation, resulting in the loss of carbon dioxide and respiratory alkalosis.

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