Which of the following would be most appropriate for a male client with an arterial blood gas (ABG) of pH 7.5, PaCO2 26 mm Hg, O2 saturation 96%, HCO3 24 mEq/L, and PaO2 94 mm Hg?
a. Administer a prescribed decongestant.
b. Instruct the client to breathe into a paper bag.
c. Offer the client fluids frequently.
d. Administer prescribed supplemental oxygen.
Answer B.
The ABG results reveal respiratory alkalosis. The best intervention to raise the PaCO2 level would be to have the client breathe into a paper bag. All of the other options — such as administering a decongestant, offering fluids frequently, and administering supplemental oxygen — wouldn’t raise the lowered PaCO2 level.
a. Administer a prescribed decongestant.
b. Instruct the client to breathe into a paper bag.
c. Offer the client fluids frequently.
d. Administer prescribed supplemental oxygen.
Answer B.
The ABG results reveal respiratory alkalosis. The best intervention to raise the PaCO2 level would be to have the client breathe into a paper bag. All of the other options — such as administering a decongestant, offering fluids frequently, and administering supplemental oxygen — wouldn’t raise the lowered PaCO2 level.
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Respiratory