Practice Question
A 75-year-old female arrives by ambulance to the emergency room presenting with delirium and mild respiratory distress. The husband states that she has been complaining of abdominal pain and vomiting for the past 4 days. No history of cardiovascular disease. kidney failure. or diabetes. Respiration Rate is 28 bpm. pulse and blood pressure are borderline elevated. Arterial blood gasses are below: Describe the patient’s acid/base state?
Answer Choices:
Correct Answer:
Uncompensated respiratory alkalosis
Rationale:
💠 Tachypnea (RR 28) with mild respiratory distress drives excess CO₂ blow-off → ↑pH.
💠 Vomiting can cause metabolic alkalosis, but hyperventilation here points primarily to respiratory cause.
💠 Acute onset means renal compensation has not occurred → uncompensated.
💠 Typical ABG: ↑pH, ↓PaCO₂, with near-normal HCO₃⁻ early on.
💠 Clinical delirium can be worsened by cerebral vasoconstriction from low PaCO₂.
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This question is from MID TERM EXAM-Pathophysiology - GCU which contains 50 questions.
More Questions from This Exam
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Answer Choices:
A. Respiratory alkalosis
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Answer Choices:
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Answer Choices:
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Answer Choices:
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Answer Choices:
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Question Details
- Category: RN Nursing Exam(s)
- Subcategory: HESI Exam(s)
- Domain: 🏡HESI-Health Assessment
- Answer Choices: 5