A client is brought to the emergency department following a motor vehicle collision. The client's admission vital signs are blood pressure 70/50 mm Hg, pulse 123/min, and respirations 8/min. The nurse anticipates the results of which diagnostic test to bestevaluate the client's oxygenation and ventilation status?

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11ecbb05_ca5a_0372_b433_ad0556b75ab0_MD0009_00 Arterial blood gas (ABG) assessment parameters provide objective data about the efficiency of gas exchange in the lungs and effectively evaluate the following: Acid-base balance (pH, HCO₃) Oxygenation status (PaO₂, partial pressure of oxygen in the arterial blood) Tissue oxygenation (SaO₂, percentage of available hemoglobin saturated with oxygen) Ventilation (PaCO₂, partial pressure of carbon dioxide in the arterial blood) Respiratory failure can occur when oxygenation is inadequate (hypoxemic failure) and/or when ventilation is inadequate (hypercapnic failure). The adequacy of oxygenation and ventilation in a client with respiratory failure is best evaluated through ABG analysis. (Option B) Chest x-ray is used to determine structural abnormality (eg, enlarged heart, fractured ribs), presence of air, fluid, infiltrates, lesions, and response to treatment. It does not provide objective data about a client's gas exchange, oxygenation, and ventilation status. (Option C) Decreased serum hematocrit and hemoglobin levels can affect the carrying capacity and delivery of oxygen to the tissues. They do not provide objective data about a client's gas exchange, oxygenation, and ventilation status. (Option D) The serum lactate level provides information about anaerobic tissue metabolism (perfusion). It does not provide objective data about a client's gas exchange, oxygenation, and ventilation status. Educational objective: Respiratory failure can occur when oxygenation is inadequate (hypoxemic failure) and/or when ventilation is inadequate (hypercapnic failure). Arterial blood gas analysis provides objective data about the efficiency of gas exchange in the lungs.

A Client Is Brought to the Emergency Department Following a Motor