A postoperative patient with prolonged nasogastric suction is at risk for a specific acid-base imbalance.Which of the following symptoms noted by the nurse indicates that the patient is developing the acid-base imbalance?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Prolonged nasogastric suction can lead to loss of gastric acid, which can lead to metabolic alkalosis. The patient may compensate for this by hypoventilation in an attempt to retain carbon dioxide and help normalize pH. Therefore, the symptom of hypoventilation indicates that the patient is developing the acid-base imbalance. Headache, bradycardia, and hypotension are not specific to this acid-base imbalance.

A Postoperative Patient with Prolonged Nasogastric Suction Is at Risk