Correct Answer: a low paco2 when assessing an 8-year-old female experiencing an early stage asthma attack, it is crucial for the pediatric ccrn (critical care registered nurse) to interpret arterial blood gas (abg) results accurately to manage and monitor the patient effectively. in such scenarios, understanding the typical abg changes during different stages of an asthma attack is essential.
in the early stages of an asthma attack, the patient's respiratory system responds by increasing the rate and depth of breathing in an effort to maintain adequate oxygenation and carbon dioxide elimination. this heightened respiratory effort typically leads to hyperventilation. hyperventilation is the body's reflex response to maintain oxygen supply to tissues and organs and to mitigate the effects of narrowed airways, which are characteristic of asthma.
due to hyperventilation, the abg results of a patient in the early stages of an asthma attack often show a lower than normal partial pressure of carbon dioxide (paco2). this is because the lungs expel more carbon dioxide in an attempt to enhance airflow. a low paco2 is indicative of respiratory alkalosis, where there is too little carbon dioxide in the blood relative to the amount of bicarbonate present.
as a result, the abg will likely reveal:
- a low paco2: typically less than 35 mmhg, reflecting the increased removal of co2 due to hyperventilation.
- an elevated ph: a ph greater than 7.40, showing that the blood has become more alkaline due to the decreased presence of carbonic acid (which forms when carbon dioxide dissolves in blood).
it is important to note that as the asthma attack progresses, if the patient's condition worsens and they are unable to maintain effective ventilation, the abg results may shift. the patient might start to retain co2 due to exhaustion or worsening airway obstruction, leading to a scenario where paco2 normalizes or even rises, and ph may return to normal or become acidic. this progression can signify an impending respiratory failure and requires immediate intervention.
therefore, in the context of an early stage asthma attack in a pediatric patient, the ccrn should anticipate seeing a low paco2 on the abg results, indicating hyperventilation as the body's initial response to the respiratory distress caused by asthma. monitoring these changes and understanding their implications for patient management are crucial in preventing further deterioration of the patient's respiratory status.
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