Question

A mother is admitted in the emergency department following complaints of fever and chills. The nurse on duty took her vital signs and noted the following: Temp = 100 °F; apical pulse = 95; respiration = 20 and deep. Measurement of arterial blood gas shows pH 7.37, PaO 90 mm Hg, PaCO 40 mm Hg, and HCO 24 mmol/L. What is your assessment?

A. Hyperthermia
B. Hyperthermia and Respiratory Alkalosis
C. Hypothermia
D. Hypothermia and Respiratory Alkalosis

Answer 1

The patient displays signs of hyperthermia with a slightly elevated temperature. However, the arterial blood gas values are within normal ranges, indicating no acid-base imbalance, hence the assessment is hyperthermia without respiratory alkalosis.

Step-by-step explanation:

The case presents a mother with a temperature of 100 °F, which is slightly above the normal range, indicating hyperthermia. Her apical pulse is 95 (within the normal range 60-100 beats per minute), and her respiration rate is 20 and deep (normal range is 12-18 breaths per minute, so slightly increased but not necessarily indicative of a respiratory disorder). The arterial blood gas values are: pH 7.37 (within the normal range of 7.35 to 7.45), PaO2 90 mm Hg (indicating adequate oxygenation), PaCO2 40 mm Hg (within normal range, 35-45 mm Hg is typical), and HCO3- 24 mmol/L (also in normal range, typically 22-26 mmol/L). These results do not indicate any acid-base imbalances; therefore, the assessment is solely hyperthermia without any signs of respiratory alkalosis.