A patient who was involved in a motor vehicle crash has had a tracheostomy placed to allow for continued mechanical ventilation.How should the nurse interpret the following arterial blood gas results: pH 7.48,PaCO₂ 85 mm Hg,PaCO₂ 32 mm Hg,and HCO₃ 25 mEq/L?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The pH indicates that the patient has alkalosis and the low PaCO₂ indicates a respiratory cause.The other responses are incorrect based on the pH and the normal HCO₃.

A Patient Who Was Involved in a Motor Vehicle Crash