A 38-year-old woman is currently in the emergency department and ...

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A 38-year-old woman is currently in the emergency department and has a diagnosis of an asthma attack.
 
  The most current arterial blood gas result reveals the following: pH of 7.24; PaCO2 of 55 mm Hg; and an HCO3 of 27 mEq/L. The acid-base status of this patient can be interpreted as:
  a. uncompensated respiratory acidosis.
  b. partially compensated respiratory acidosis.
  c. partially compensated metabolic alkalosis.
  d. partially compensated metabolic acidosis.

Question 2

During the calibration of a transcutaneous electrode, the signal is found to be drifting. Which of the following is the most appropriate action to take?
 
  a. Move the electrode to another site.
  b. Increase the temperature of the electrode.
  c. Clean off the silver deposit on the cath-ode.
  d. Change the electrolyte and the sensor membrane.

[duke02]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: B
A pH of 7.24 indicates acidosis because it is below 7.35. The PaCO2 of 55 mm Hg is a respirato-ry acidosis because it is greater than 45 mm Hg. The arterial blood gas is partially compensated because the HCO3 of 27 mEq/L is greater than 26 mEq/L and the pH is less than 7.35.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: D
The electrolyte and the sensor's membrane should be checked regularly and changed weekly or whenever a signal drift during calibration is noticed.

[sc00by25]

Thanks for the timely response, appreciate it

[Alyson.hiatt@yahoo.com]

Excellent