Question

The nurse is reviewing the arterial blood gas analysis results for a client in the respiratory care unit who is receiving nasal oxygen and notes a pH of 7.38 (7.38), Paco2 of 38 mm Hg (38 mm Hg), Pao2 of 86 mm Hg (86 mm Hg), and HCO3 of 23 mEq/L (23 mmol/L). What action should the nurse take in response to these results?

1. Discontinue the oxygen.

2. Continue monitoring the client.

3. Call 911 to have the client intubated immediately.

4. Have another set drawn because these results are not possible.

Answer 1

Question : The nurse is reviewing the arterial blood gas analysis results for a client in the respiratory care unit who is receiving nasal oxygen and notes a pH of 7.38 (7.38), Paco2 of 38 mm Hg (38 mm Hg), Pao2 of 86 mm Hg (86 mm Hg), and HCO3 of 23 mEq/L (23 mmol/L). What action should the nurse take in response to these results?

These all ABG values are normal

So Answer is continue monitoring the client

please note

The aforementioned components all have different normal values and represent different aspects of the blood gas. According to the National Institute of Health, typical normal values are:

• pH: 7.35-7.45
• Partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2): 75 to 100 mmHg
• Partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2): 35-45 mmHg
• Bicarbonate (HCO3): 22-26 mEq/L
• Oxygen saturation (spo2) 94 % to 100%

ABg interpretation

	pH	CO2	HCO3
Respiratory acidosis	↓	↑	Normal
Respiratory alkalosis	↑	↓	Normal
Compensated respiratory acidosis	↓	↑	↑
Compensated respiratory alkalosis	↑	↓	↓

1. Respiratory Opposite -- In respiratory disorders, the pH and CO2 arrows move in opposite directions.
2. Metabolic Equal -- In metabolic disorders, the PH and CO2 arrows will move in the same direction.