Question

The nurse reviews the blood gas results of a patient with atelectasis. The nurse analyzes the results and determines that the patient is experiencing respiratory acidosis. Which result validates the nurse's findings?

A) pH 7.25, Paco₂ 50 mm Hg
B) pH 7.35, Paco₂ 40 mm Hg
C) pH 7.50, Paco₂ 52 mm Hg
D) pH 7.52, Paco₂ 28 mm Hg

Answer 1

The blood gas result that validates the nurse's findings of respiratory acidosis is A) pH 7.25, Paco₂ 50 mm Hg, which is below the normal pH range and shows elevated levels of carbon dioxide.

Step-by-step explanation:

A student asked which blood gas result validates the findings of respiratory acidosis in a patient with atelectasis. The correct result that indicates respiratory acidosis is option A) pH 7.25, Paco₂ 50 mm Hg. The normal arterial blood pH range is 7.35 to 7.45, and the normal partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PCO₂) for males ranges from 35 to 48 mm Hg and for females from 32 to 45 mm Hg.

A pH value lower than 7.35 suggests acidosis, while a higher PCO₂ indicates respiratory origin of the acidosis, as seen in the result of option A. If there is compensation, bicarbonate (HCO₃⁻) levels would increase, trying to neutralize the excess carbonic acid/CO₂, which is not given in the choices, indicating that this scenario hasn't occurred yet or the levels were not reported.