Question

A client comes to the emergency department with status asthmaticus. The client's respiratory rate is 48 breaths/minute, and the client is wheezing. An arterial blood gas analysis reveals a ph of 7.52, a partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide (paco2) of 30 mm hg, pao2 of 70 mm hg, and bicarbonate (hco3--) of 26 meq/l. What disorder is indicated by these findings?

Answer 1

Answer:

The complete question is:

Question: What disorder is indicated by these findings? A client comes to the emergency department with status asthmaticus. His respiratory rate is 48 breaths/minute, and he is wheezing. An arterial blood gas analysis reveals a pH of 7.52, a partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide (PaCO2) of 30 mm Hg, PaO2 of 70 mm Hg, and bicarbonate (HCO3−) of 26 mEq/L.

A. Metabolic acidosis

B. Respiratory acidosis

C. Metabolic alkalosis

D. Respiratory alkalosis

Answer: The correct answer is:

D. Respiratory alkalosis

Explanation:

In Respiratory alkalosis the Partial Pressure of Arterial Carbondioxide (PaCO2) become decreased (i.e. less than 35 mm Hg) and the pH of blood become increased (i.e. more than 7.45). Alveolar hyperventilation causes respiratory alkalosis.

Alveolar hyperventilation occurs when alveolar ventilation is increased than the arterial carbondioxide tension and carbondioxide production.

Alveolar ventilation is the gaseous exchange between alveoli and the external environment.

Whereas, in metabolic acidosis, bicarbonate (HCO3) become decreased (i.e. less than 22 mEq/l and the pH of blood become decreased (i.e. less than 7.35); in respiratory acidosis,  the pH of blood also become decreased (i.e. less than 7.35) and the PaCO2 become increased (i.e. more than 45 mm Hg); and in metabolic alkalosis,  the bicarbonate (HCO3) become increased (i.e. more than 26 mEq/l and the pH become increased (i.e. more than 7.45).