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The nurse draws a blood sample on an anxious patient that is hyperventilating. The arterial blood gas will most likely show:

Explanation

•Hyperventilation decreases PCO2, causing a rise in pH and respiratory alkalosis.

Respiratory Acidosis:
•Respiratory system is the cause
•Increase in PCO2, decrease in pH
•Compensation - Kidneys reabsorb Bicarb (HCO3)

Metabolic Acidosis:
•Caused by loss of bicarb or build up of acids - Lactic acidosis, diarrhea, renal failure, ketones, ammonium intoxication. Not caused by respiration.
•HCO3 decreases, pH decreases
•Compensation - hyperventilation to eliminate CO2

Respiratory Alkalosis:
•Caused by excessive ventilation
•Decrease in PCO2, increase in pH
•Compensation - Kidneys excrete HCO3

Metabolic Alkalosis
•Acid (H+) lost from emesis, diuretics. Retention of HCO3 from medications, hyperaldosteronism
•Increase in HCO3, Increase in pH
•Compensation - Repiratory centers are not stimulated, this leads to hypoventilation and CO2 retention

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