Four hours after mechanical ventilation is initiated for a client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the client's arterial blood gas (ABG) results include a pH of 7.50, PaO₂ of 80 mm Hg, PaCO₂ of 29 mm Hg, and HCO³- of 23 mmol/L. The nursewill anticipate the need to do which of the following actions based upon these findings?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The client's PaCO₂ and pH indicate respiratory alkalosis caused by too high a respiratory rate. The PaO₂ is appropriate for a client with COPD, increasing the tidal volume would further lower the PaCO₂, and the PaCO₂ and pH indicate a need to make the ventilator changes.

Four Hours After Mechanical Ventilation Is Initiated for a Client