Question

The nurse is caring for a patient with a nasogastric tube that is attached to low suction. The nurse monitors the patient, knowing that the patient is at risk for which acid base disorder?

A) Metabolic Acidosis
B) Metabolic Alkalosis
C) Respiratory Acidosis
D) Respiratory Alkalosis

Answer 1

A patient with a nasogastric tube attached to low suction is at risk for metabolic alkalosis, which is caused by the loss of stomach acid and results in an increased blood pH.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse monitoring a patient with a nasogastric tube attached to low suction should be aware that the patient is at risk for metabolic alkalosis. This condition can arise due to the loss of hydrochloric acid from the stomach content through the nasogastric tube, which reduces the amount of acid in the body and increases the blood's pH.

Metabolic alkalosis is characterized by a higher blood pH above the normal range and a higher-than-normal total bicarbonate level. This is often compensated by the respiratory system, which may attempt to correct the pH balance by reducing breathing to increase carbon dioxide (CO2) levels in the blood.