2024 PN NCLEX Questions Nursing Practice Question
A nurse reviewed the arterial blood gas reading of a 25 year-old male. The nurse should be able to conclude the patient is experiencing which of the following conditions?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: In this scenario, the arterial blood gas reading indicates respiratory alkalosis. This condition arises when there is excessive loss of carbon dioxide due to hyperventilation, leading to an increase in blood pH.
Option A, metabolic acidosis, is characterized by low pH and bicarbonate levels, which does not align with the provided reading. Option B, respiratory acidosis, occurs with elevated carbon dioxide and decreased pH, opposite to the findings. Option C, metabolic alkalosis, involves high pH and bicarbonate levels, which also does not match the situation. Hence, the interpretation points to respiratory alkalosis as the correct conclusion.