Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 83%
Simulated
The nurse is reviewing a client's arterial blood gas (ABG) results who has a nasogastric tube (NGT) attached to continuous suction. The ABG results reveal the following: pH 7.50 [7.35-7.45], PaCO2 42 mmHg [35-45 mm Hg], HCO3- 35 mEq/L [22-28 mEq/L]. The nurse should interpret these results to indicate that the client has
Correct answer
D
Rationale
High pH (7.50) and elevated HCO3- (35 mEq/L) with normal PaCO2 indicate metabolic alkalosis (D), likely due to loss of gastric acid from NGT suction.