An elderly postoperative patient is demonstrating lethargy, confusion, and a respiratory rate of 8 per minute. The nurse sees that the last dose of pain medication administered via a patient controlled anesthesia (PCA) pump was within 30 minutes. Which of the following acid-base disorders might this patient be experiencing?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The patient is demonstrating signs of respiratory depression, which can lead to hypoventilation and retention of carbon dioxide. This retention of CO2 can cause respiratory acidosis.

An Elderly Postoperative Patient Is Demonstrating Lethargy, Confusion, and a Respiratory