1. Patient is admitted for a bowel obstruction and has had a nasogastric tube set

to low intermittent suction for the past 3 days. Which arterial blood gas values

will the nurse expect to observe?

a. Respiratory alkalosis

b. Metabolic alkalosis

c. Metabolic acidosis

d. Respiratory acidosis

ANS: B

The patient is losing acid from the nasogastric tube so the patient will have

metabolic alkalosis. Lung problems will produce respiratory alkalosis or acidosis.

Metabolic acidosis will occur when too much acid is in the body like kidney

failure.

13. Which blood gas result will the nurse expect to observe in a patient with

respiratory alkalosis?

a. pH 7.60, PaCO2 40 mm Hg, HCO3– 30 mEq/L

b. pH 7.53, PaCO2 30 mm Hg, HCO3– 24 mEq/L

c. pH 7.35, PaCO2 35 mm Hg, HCO3– 26 mEq/L

d. pH 7.25, PaCO2 48 mm Hg, HCO3– 23 mEq/L

ANS: B

Respiratory alkalosis should show an alkalotic pH and decreased CO2

(respiratory) values, with a normal HCO3–. In this case, pH 7.53 is alkaline

(normal = 7.35 to 7.45), PaCO2 is 30 (normal 35 to 45 mm Hg), and HCO3–is

24 (normal = 22 to 26 mEq/L). A result of pH 7.60, PaCO2 40 mm Hg, HCO3–

30 mEq/L is metabolic alkalosis. pH 7.35, PaCO2 35 mm Hg, HCO3– 26

mEq/L is within normal limits. pH 7.25, PaCO2 48 mm Hg, HCO3– 23 mEq/L

is respiratory acidosis.

14.A nurse is caring for a patient whose ECG presents with changes

characteristic of hypokalemia. Which assessment finding will the nurse

expect?

a. Dry mucous membranes