You are making rounds on your clients. You find one of your clients struggling to breathe, appears confused, has tachycardia, and the skin appears dusky. What should you do to restore normal pH if ventilation efforts are not very successful?
A) Give bronchodilators.
B) Administer sodium bicarbonate IV.
C) Start potassium IV.
D) Infuse magnesium sulfate.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The symptoms described in the scenario suggest respiratory acidosis, which is caused by inadequate ventilation leading to CO2 retention and decreased pH. While correcting the underlying cause is important (e.g. assisting with ventilation or treating any underlying lung disease), administering sodium bicarbonate IV can help to increase pH by buffering excess hydrogen ions. Bronchodilators, potassium, and magnesium sulfate are unlikely to address the acidosis.

You Are Making Rounds on Your Clients