Author Question: A client is admitted to the hospital after vomiting for 3 days. Which arterial blood gas results ... (Read 796 times)

NClaborn · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

A client is admitted to the hospital after vomiting for 3 days. Which arterial blood gas results should the nurse expect to find in this client?

1. pH 7.30; PaCO2 50; HCO3 27
2. pH 7.47; PaCO2 43; HCO3 28
3. pH 7.43; PaCO2 50; HCO3 28
4. pH 7.47; PaCO2 30; HCO3 23

Question 2

The nurse is caring for a client who is recovering from surgery. Which intervention should the nurse implement to decrease the client's possibility of developing hypercalcemia?

1. Measure vital signs every 4 hours.
2. Assist the client to turn, cough, and deep breathe every 2 hours.
3. Assist the client to ambulate around the room at least three times daily.
4. Irrigate the client's nasogastric tube every 2 hours.

stano32 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 2
Rationale: The nurse would expect that this client is alkalotic because stomach acids have been lost, so the pH would be above 7.45. This is a metabolic problem, so the PaCO2 is likely normal. The HCO3 will likely be high (above 26). The only option that includes all of these parameters is pH 7.47; PaCO2 43; HCO3 28.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 3
Rationale 1: Measuring vital signs will not decrease the possibility of developing hypercalcemia.
Rationale 2: Turning, coughing, and deep breathing every 2 hours will not prevent the development of hypercalcemia.
Rationale 3: Hypercalcemia can occur from immobility. Ambulation of the client helps to prevent leaching of calcium from the bones into the serum.
Rationale 4: Irrigating the nasogastric tube every 2 hours is not going to prevent the development of hypercalcemia.