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