Unit 2: Acid Base Imbalances Flashcards
Situation:
Mr. Bronchiole is having an exacerbation of COPD. He has dyspnea, very weak and dizzy. What should the rn do for him?
Sit him up, give him a bronchodilator, apply O2, falls precautions.
pH: 7.20 CO2: 50 HCO3: 25
What imbalance is this?
Respiration Acidosis
Situation:
Ms. Poop is seen in the ER with excessive vomiting for the last 48 hrs. She has numbness and tingling in her fingers, and very lethargic. Her respiratory rate is 10. Lab work reveals a K level of 3.0. What will you do for her?
Give antiemetic, K+ w/ iv fluids.
pH: 7.50 CO2: 37 HCO3: 29
What imbalances is this?
Metabolic Alkalosis
Situation:
Ms. Preggo is seen by the NP for routine checkup since she is 30 weeks pregnant. She is complaining of having reflux terribly bad and has been eating antacids by the handful. She also complains of severe muscle cramps. She wondered if there was anything else she could take. What will you tell her?
Stop the antiacids, take H2 antagonist instead, and change diet.
pH: 7.60 CO2: 40 HCO3: 32
What imbalance is this?
Metabolic Alkalosis
Mr. Bottom was diagnosed with the stomach virus which has been going around. He has had diarrhea for 4 days, unable to keep anything in his system. This made him feel very weak and lethargic. What will you do for him?
Start IV fluids, assess further for another Gi problem, and give antidiarrheal med.
pH: 7.20 CO2: 36 HCO3: 20
What imbalance is this?
Metabolic Acidosis
Situation:
Ms. Sugar was brought to the ER in DKA, with blood sugar level of 877. Her daughter states she is not compliant with taking her insulin and watching her diet. She is very confused, with deep, rapid breathing. What will you do?
Start insulin drip iv with fluids.
pH: 7.14 CO2: 40 HCO3: 18
What imbalance is this?
Metabolic Acidosis
Situation:
Sally student is about to take her first nursing exam. She begins to get very anxious as other students are talking about the exam. Her respiratory rate increases to 40, she starts to feel dizzy and needs to sit down. What will you do for her?
Provide safety, give nonrebreather or paper bag, or anxiety meds.
pH: 7.55 CO2: 30 HCO3: 22
What imbalance is this?
Respiratory Alkalosis
