Four hours after mechanical ventilation is initiated for a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD),the patient's arterial blood gas (ABG)results include a pH of 7.51,PaO₂ of 82 mm Hg,PaCO₂ of 26 mm Hg,and HCO₂- of 23 mEq/L (23 mmol/L).The nurse will anticipate the need to

Question

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The patient's PaCO₂ and pH indicate respiratory alkalosis caused by too high a respiratory rate.The PaO₂ is appropriate for a patient with COPD and increasing the respiratory rate and tidal volume would further lower the PaCO₂.

Four Hours After Mechanical Ventilation Is Initiated for a Patient