2024 PN NCLEX Questions Nursing Practice Question
Which of the following arterial blood gas values indicates a patient may be experiencing a condition of metabolic acidosis?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Metabolic acidosis is characterized by a decrease in bicarbonate levels in the blood. A bicarbonate level of 15 mEq/L indicates a significant drop, suggesting acidosis.
Option A, PaO2 (90%), reflects oxygenation status, not acid-base balance. Option C, CO2 at 47 mm Hg, indicates potential respiratory acidosis, as elevated CO2 levels can occur when the body fails to eliminate carbon dioxide effectively. Option D, a pH of 7.34, suggests acidosis but does not specify the type; it could be due to metabolic or respiratory causes. Thus, the low bicarbonate level directly points to metabolic acidosis.