On admission, a patient presents as follows: pH, 7.38; respiratory rate, 24 breaths/min, regular, pursed-lip breathing; PaO₂, 66 mm Hg; heart rate, 112 beats/min, sinus tachycardia; PaCO₂, 52 mm Hg; blood pressure, 110/68 mm Hg; HCO₃, 24 mEq/L; and SpO₂, 90% on O₂ 2 L/min nasal cannula.What treatment would the physician or nurse practitioner likely order for this patient?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Increasing the FiO₂ on this patient could decrease the respiratory rate and increase the severity of the patient's CO₂ retention.The patient's arterial blood gas (ABG)values do not warrant intubation at this time.Additional sodium bicarbonate is not indicated because this patient has a fully compensated pH.A repeat ABG may be ordered to assess the patient's ongoing respiratory status.Other factors must be considered when reviewing a patient's ABGs, including oxygen saturation, oxygen content, base excess and deficit, and anion gap analysis.

On Admission, a Patient Presents as Follows: PH, 7