Pao2 - ANSWER 80-100 mm Hg
Ph - ANSWER 7.35-7.45
Low ph - ANSWER acidic
High ph - ANSWER alkalosis
Pa CO2 - ANSWER 35-45 mm Hg
HCO3 - ANSWER 22-26 meq/L
Respiratory acidosis - ANSWER low ph, high co2, normal bicarbonate
Causes of respiratory acidosis - ANSWER respiratory depression from anesthesia, over-
dose, increased intracranial pressure, airway obstruction from decreased alveolar capillary
diffusion like pneumonia, COPD, ARDS, AND PE
Signs/symptoms of respiratory acidosis - ANSWER hypoventilation (hypoxia), rapid, shal-
low respirations, decrease in BP, skin/mucous pale to cyanotic, headache, hyperkalemia,
dysrhythmias, drowsiness, dizziness, disorientation, muscle weakness, hyperreflexia
Nursing management of respiratory acidosis - ANSWER ventilator, arterial blood gas, low-
dose oxygen in chronic conditions, high-dose oxygen in acute hypoxia with acidosis, I/O,
1
,promote the release of CO2, turn/cough/deep breathe, assume semi-high fowlers position,
clear respiratory secretions, colors of skin, mucous membranes
Respiratory alkalosis - ANSWER high ph, low co2 and normal bicarbonate
Causes of respiratory alkalosis - ANSWER high ph, low co2 and hyperventilation, initial
stages of pulmonary emboli, hypoxia, fever, pregnancy, high altitudes, and anxiety
Signs/symptoms of respiratory alkalosis - ANSWER seizures, deep/rapid breathing, hyper-
ventilation, tachycardia, decrease BP, hypokalemia, numbness/tingling in extremities, leth-
argy/confusion, light headedness, N/V
Nursing management of respiratory alkalosis - ANSWER kidneys retain H+ ions, use a re-
breather mask or paper bag, sedatives, monitor respiratory rate/depth, tachycardia, low BP,
serum K+ levels/ECG levels, hydration status I/O, check for toxicities
Metabolic acidosis - ANSWER low ph, normal co2 and low bicarbonate
Metabolic acidosis signs/symptoms - ANSWER compensatory hyperventilation (kussmaul
respirations), headache, decreased BP, hyperkalemia, muscle twitching, warm/flushed skin,
N/D/V, changes in LOC,
Causes of metabolic acidosis - ANSWER low ph/low bicarbonate, diabetic ketoacidosis,
shock, sepsis, severe diarrhea, and renal failure
What goes up in acidosis - ANSWER potassium
Metabolic acidosis nursing management - ANSWER BUN, creatinine, hemoglobin/hema-
tocrit levels, monitor hydration, turn/cough/deep breathe, ABG's, check K, Ca usually goes
down, weights, vitals
2
, Metabolic alkalosis - ANSWER high ph, normal co2, and high hco3
Causes of metabolic alkalosis - ANSWER high ph, high bicarb and severe vomiting, exces-
sive GI suctioning, diuretics, and excessive nahco3
Metabolic alkalosis signs/symptoms - ANSWER restlessness (lethargy), confusion, dizzy,
irritable, dysrhythmias, compensatory hypoventilation, N/V/D, tremors, muscle cramps, tin-
gling of fingers and toes, dehydration
Metabolic alkalosis nursing management - ANSWER monitor ECG's, ABG's for ph, K, Ca
levels, LOC checks for tetany, tremors, muscle cramps, tingling,
What is hyperkalemia frequently associated with - ANSWER metabolic acidosis
What is a compensatory mechanism for metabolic alkalosis - ANSWER decreased respira-
tory rate and depth to retain CO2 and kidney excretion of bicarbonate
Excessive intake causes - ANSWER rapid oral ingestion of water, infusions of D5%W hypo-
tonic fluid at excess, massive replacement of water without NA
Decreased output causes - ANSWER renal failure
Fluid volume excess causes - ANSWER heart failure, water intoxication, liver cirrhosis, SI-
ADH, lung cancer, renal failure, primary polydipsia, long term use of cortiosteroids
Fluid volume excess clinical manifestations - ANSWER headache, JVD, increased weight,
edema, ascites, elevated blood pressure, crackles in lungs, confusion, decreased urine spe-
cific gravity, pitting edema, high BP, presence of s3, tachycardia, bounding pulse, changes in
LOC, seizures, low pulse ox (below 89%), seizures, coma, muscle spasms, dyspnea
3
Ph - ANSWER 7.35-7.45
Low ph - ANSWER acidic
High ph - ANSWER alkalosis
Pa CO2 - ANSWER 35-45 mm Hg
HCO3 - ANSWER 22-26 meq/L
Respiratory acidosis - ANSWER low ph, high co2, normal bicarbonate
Causes of respiratory acidosis - ANSWER respiratory depression from anesthesia, over-
dose, increased intracranial pressure, airway obstruction from decreased alveolar capillary
diffusion like pneumonia, COPD, ARDS, AND PE
Signs/symptoms of respiratory acidosis - ANSWER hypoventilation (hypoxia), rapid, shal-
low respirations, decrease in BP, skin/mucous pale to cyanotic, headache, hyperkalemia,
dysrhythmias, drowsiness, dizziness, disorientation, muscle weakness, hyperreflexia
Nursing management of respiratory acidosis - ANSWER ventilator, arterial blood gas, low-
dose oxygen in chronic conditions, high-dose oxygen in acute hypoxia with acidosis, I/O,
1
,promote the release of CO2, turn/cough/deep breathe, assume semi-high fowlers position,
clear respiratory secretions, colors of skin, mucous membranes
Respiratory alkalosis - ANSWER high ph, low co2 and normal bicarbonate
Causes of respiratory alkalosis - ANSWER high ph, low co2 and hyperventilation, initial
stages of pulmonary emboli, hypoxia, fever, pregnancy, high altitudes, and anxiety
Signs/symptoms of respiratory alkalosis - ANSWER seizures, deep/rapid breathing, hyper-
ventilation, tachycardia, decrease BP, hypokalemia, numbness/tingling in extremities, leth-
argy/confusion, light headedness, N/V
Nursing management of respiratory alkalosis - ANSWER kidneys retain H+ ions, use a re-
breather mask or paper bag, sedatives, monitor respiratory rate/depth, tachycardia, low BP,
serum K+ levels/ECG levels, hydration status I/O, check for toxicities
Metabolic acidosis - ANSWER low ph, normal co2 and low bicarbonate
Metabolic acidosis signs/symptoms - ANSWER compensatory hyperventilation (kussmaul
respirations), headache, decreased BP, hyperkalemia, muscle twitching, warm/flushed skin,
N/D/V, changes in LOC,
Causes of metabolic acidosis - ANSWER low ph/low bicarbonate, diabetic ketoacidosis,
shock, sepsis, severe diarrhea, and renal failure
What goes up in acidosis - ANSWER potassium
Metabolic acidosis nursing management - ANSWER BUN, creatinine, hemoglobin/hema-
tocrit levels, monitor hydration, turn/cough/deep breathe, ABG's, check K, Ca usually goes
down, weights, vitals
2
, Metabolic alkalosis - ANSWER high ph, normal co2, and high hco3
Causes of metabolic alkalosis - ANSWER high ph, high bicarb and severe vomiting, exces-
sive GI suctioning, diuretics, and excessive nahco3
Metabolic alkalosis signs/symptoms - ANSWER restlessness (lethargy), confusion, dizzy,
irritable, dysrhythmias, compensatory hypoventilation, N/V/D, tremors, muscle cramps, tin-
gling of fingers and toes, dehydration
Metabolic alkalosis nursing management - ANSWER monitor ECG's, ABG's for ph, K, Ca
levels, LOC checks for tetany, tremors, muscle cramps, tingling,
What is hyperkalemia frequently associated with - ANSWER metabolic acidosis
What is a compensatory mechanism for metabolic alkalosis - ANSWER decreased respira-
tory rate and depth to retain CO2 and kidney excretion of bicarbonate
Excessive intake causes - ANSWER rapid oral ingestion of water, infusions of D5%W hypo-
tonic fluid at excess, massive replacement of water without NA
Decreased output causes - ANSWER renal failure
Fluid volume excess causes - ANSWER heart failure, water intoxication, liver cirrhosis, SI-
ADH, lung cancer, renal failure, primary polydipsia, long term use of cortiosteroids
Fluid volume excess clinical manifestations - ANSWER headache, JVD, increased weight,
edema, ascites, elevated blood pressure, crackles in lungs, confusion, decreased urine spe-
cific gravity, pitting edema, high BP, presence of s3, tachycardia, bounding pulse, changes in
LOC, seizures, low pulse ox (below 89%), seizures, coma, muscle spasms, dyspnea
3
