Final Flashcards
Which of the following ABG values is expected from someone who suffers from a pneumothorax?
Respiratory acidosis
Explanation:
Pneumothorax = collapsed lung –> hypoventilation/poor ventilation –> decreased gas exchange, CO2 isn’t leaving the body –> results in respiratory acidosis
What are the causes of respiratory alkalosis vs metabolic alkalosis?
Respiratory alkalosis is caused by the lungs removing TOO MUCH CO2…
-Hyperventilation:
–> hyperventilation can be caused by anxiety, pain, or the ventilator may be hyperventilating the patient
Metabolic alkalosis is caused by a loss of acid in the body or bicarbonate excess
-Loss of acid:
–> NGT suctioning or vomiting may cause loss of stomach acid
–> Drugs causing hypokalemia (ex. thiazide diuretics) = acid loss
-Bicarbonate excess:
–> antacid overdose
–> overdose of bicarbonate
What are the ABGs for aspirin (ASA) overdose?
metabolic acidosis
pH: acidic (below 7.35)
PaCO2: normal or low (below 35)
HCO3: low (below 22)
Acetylsalicylic acid overdose = build up of acid = metabolic acidosis
You are given an ABG and it is metabolic acidosis, what would you give for this?
administer bicarbonate
(metabolic acidosis is caused by acid build up or a loss of bicarbonate)
Other solutions:
-if it is caused by diarrhea –> antidiarrheal
-caused by renal failure –> dialysis
-caused by DKA –> insulin
What are causes of metabolic acidosis?
metabolic acidosis = build up of acid in the body or bicarb loss
-DKA (accumulation of ketoacids)
-intoxication (ASA OD)
-Renal failure (uric acid build up)
-Shock (lactic acid build up)
-diarrhea (bicarb loss)
What is associated with metabolic alkalosis?
vomiting (bc loss of stomach acid)
What is associated with metabolic acidosis?
diarrhea (bicarb loss)
ABG normal values
pH: 7.35-7.45
PaO2: 80-100
PaCO2: 35-45
HCO3: 22-26
SaO2: >95%
SaO2 vs PaO2
SaO2: oxygen saturation, percentage of hemoglobin bound to oxygen
PaO2: partial pressure of oxygen, the amount of oxygen dissolved in the blood
There is an ABG showing respiratory alkalosis, what would be an intervention?
turn down respiratory rate on ventilator and increase sedation
You have a patient who is taking a thiazide diuretic, what will their ABGs look like?
metabolic alkalosis
Drugs causing hypokalemia (ex. thiazide diuretics) = acid loss
How long can the lungs compensate for?
24 hours
Which system can compensate for 24 hours?
lungs/respiratory
What are some accurate assessment parameters for a nurse to determine adequate tissue perfusion to assess for shock?
BP, HR, RR
SATA for causes of respiratory alkalosis
-low PaCO2
-anxiety
-chest trauma
SATA for causes of metabolic acidosis
-diarrhea (poop out ur base)
-DKA
SATA for causes of metabolic alkalosis
-vomiting
Which of the following identifies the proper compensatory mechanism?
-the renal system compensates for alkalosis by excreting bicarb
What should you do with the ventilator for ARDS?
increase the PEEP
Pts with ARDS have decreased lung compliance (stiff lungs). PEEP is pressure applied by the ventilator at the end of each breath
Why are corticosteroids used in ARDS?
helps decrease inflammation in the lungs and pulmonary edema
What are appropriate collaborative interventions for ARDS?
-treat the cause
-proning (only if PaO2/FiO2 ratio is below 100)
-minimize oxygen demand
-optimize O2 delivery
-maintain airway
-prevent complications
What happens to a patient’s PaO2 with ARDS?
it drops (due to respiratory acidosis)
What are early signs of respiratory failure?
-change in mental status
-anxiety
-morning headache
Respiratory failure due to a decrease in perfusion and V/Q relationships, what causes the V/Q mismatching?
-Happens in the PROGRESSIVE stage due to a blockage (PE, HF)
What nursing interventions are important for a pt on ECMO?
-monitor drain and return links to reduce risk of decannulation
You have an old man who is stating horribly, laying flat, and you have already turned up his oxygen. What would you do next?
Raise the head of the bed