A client is brought to the emergency department due to loss of consciousness after binge drinking at a college party and then taking alprazolam. Pulse oximetry shows 87% on room air. Which findings would the nurse expect to assess on an arterial blood gas?

Question

A client is brought to the emergency department due to loss of consciousness after binge drinking at a college party and then taking alprazolam.  Pulse oximetry shows 87% on room air.  Which findings would the nurse expect to assess on an arterial blood gas?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The combination of excessive alcohol ingestion and the benzodiazepine alprazolam (Xanax) causes respiratory depression, which leads to alveolar hypoventilation secondary to carbon dioxide retention, and respiratory acidosis. Therefore, clients should be advised not to take multiple substances that increase the risk of respiratory depression (eg, opioids, benzodiazepines, alcohol, sedating antihistamines). (Option A) Diarrhea, ketoacidosis, lactic acidosis, and renal failure can cause metabolic acidosis due to loss of bicarbonate or retention of acids; the lungs would compensate by hyperventilating. (Option B) Vomiting, gastrointestinal suction, and administration of alkali (ie, sodium bicarbonate) are common causes of metabolic alkalosis; the lungs would compensate by hypoventilating. (Option D) Hypoxia, anxiety, and pain are common causes of respiratory alkalosis, which is due to alveolar hyperventilation (rapid breathing). Educational objective: Over-sedation, sleep apnea, anesthesia, drug overdose, progressive neuromuscular disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease depress the respiratory center; this leads to alveolar hypoventilation, secondary to carbon dioxide retention, and respiratory acidosis.

A Client Is Brought to the Emergency Department Due to Loss