Respiratory Alkalosis

play, arrow, button-156984.jpg

pH > 7.45


pCO2 < 35   

Client is blow off Co2

Hyperventilating

play, arrow, button-156984.jpg

Causes


Fever

Hypoxia

Anxiety

Pain

Hysteria

Overventilation

play, arrow, button-156984.jpg

Symptoms


Lightheadedness

Anxiety

Fast, deep breathing

play, arrow, button-156984.jpg

Interventions


Tx cause

Sedation

breathing exercises

Change ventilator settings

lungs, organ, anatomy-154282.jpg
lungs, organ, anatomy-154282.jpg

Scenario 1

A client with severe pain/anxiety is breathing fast: 

pH 7.48

pCO2 31

 HCO3- 24

 

Respiratory Alkalosis

lungs, organ, anatomy-154282.jpg

Scenario 2

A mechanically ventilated client is now breathing over the ventilator settings:

pH 7.50  

pCO2 28  

HCO3- 25


Respiratory Alkalosis

kidney, health, smile-6009357.jpg

Scenario 3

A client with sepsis is breathing fast at 30 breaths/minute:

pH 7.32  

pCO2 31   

HCO3- 18. 

Tricky. This is NOT respiratory alkalosis. pCO2 is low, but pH is low too. This is a metabolic acidosis with partially respiratory compensation. The client is trying to blow off acid in order to normalize pH