MDC II EXAM 2

1. A patient is brought into the ED with respiratory depression. The patient has a history of COPD. What acid-base imbalance is most likely? - Respiratory Acidosis. The patient likely has a build-up of CO2, causing respiratory acidosis. 2. The nurse is evaluating the lab work of a patient who has uncontrolled metabolic acidosis. Which lab result would result from this condition? Serum potassium 5.7 mEq/L. Serum potassium increases during acidosis to try to buffer the acidic conditions. 3. The nurse is reviewing the standing orders for a patient who was admitted for evaluation of chest pain. The patient has a history of (COPD) and his laboratory results and assessment reveal that he has mild respiratory acidosis. The nurse would question which order? Oxygen therapy at 4 L/min as needed - Oxygen therapy at 4L/ Min as needed. Oxygen therapy is often ordered for =respiratory acidosis. However, COPD patients have a difficult time off-loading carbon dioxide and giving too much oxygen can cause these patients to have a decrease in respiratory drive, leading to respiratory arrest.