Case study - Jeri (at the bottom of ABG lecture)

Question 1

What type of acid-base imbalance would you expect Jeri to have?

Answer 1

Respiratory acidosis

Question 2

What is causing it?

Answer 2

Hypoventilation

Question 3

What type of compensation would you expect or not expect? Explain.

Answer 3

Would expect to see change in HCO3 but an elevated HCO3 would occur slowly - 24 hours

Question 4

What would Jeri’s ABGs look like?

Answer 4

ph less than 7.35
paco2 greater than 45
hco3 reading probably normal - change in 24 hours

Question 5

What is the treatment?

Answer 5

mechanical ventilation until alcohol wears off

• necessary to improve tissue perfusion