Concepts of

Acid-Base Balance
Rau Kuohui, a 50-year-old female, was shot in the right side of her chest. She is currently in the progressive care unit. Her arterial blood gases are as follows:

pH 7.30

PaO2 88 mm Hg PaCO2 50 mm Hg

Bicarbonate 26 mEq/L

Lactate 5 mg/dL

Question 1 Does Ms. Kuohui have an acid-base imbalance? If so, what type of imbalance?

Question 2 What likely caused Ms. Kuohui to have this condition?

Question 3 Ms. Kuohui’s condition continues to deteriorate. What actions should be taken to restore Ms. Kuohui’s acid-base balance?

Question 4 With which member of the interprofessional health care team should the nurse collaborate to address Ms. Kuohui’s gas exchange needs?