The nurse is working with a child who has a drug overdose. Respirations are decreased and shallow. Arterial blood gases show the child's pH is decreased and the pCO₂ is elevated. The nurse realizes that this child is in:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The child's symptoms of decreased and shallow respirations, along with decreased pH and elevated pCO2, indicate respiratory acidosis. This condition occurs when the lungs cannot remove enough carbon dioxide, leading to an acidic state.

The Nurse Is Working with a Child Who Has a Drug