A nurse is reviewing acid-base laboratory data on a newborn admitted to the NICU for meconium aspiration. Which laboratory values should the nurse report to the physician? (Select all that apply.) A) pH: 7.35 B) PCO₂: 49 C) HCO₃-: 30 D) PaO₂: 96

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Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Normal values of pH for a newborn are: Birth: 7.11–7.36 1 day: 7.29–7.45 Child: 7.35–7.45. Normal values of PCO₂ are: Newborn: 27–40 mm Hg Infant: 27–41 mm Hg Girls: 32–45 mm Hg Boys: 35–48 mm Hg. Normal values for HCO₃^- are: Infant: 21–28 mEq/ml Thereafter: 22–26 mEq/ml. The PaO₂ is within normal limits for a newborn. Therefore, the nurse should report the PCO₂ of 49 and the HCO₃^- of 30.

A Nurse Is Reviewing Acid-Base Laboratory Data on a Newborn