Question

A 32 year-old female presents with a acute pulmonary embolism. She has no past medical history. Which of the following arterial blood gas (ABG) parameters would most likely found on her laboratory report?

a. pH of 7.32, pCO2 of 48
b. pH of 7.32,pCO2 of 34
c. pH of 7.48,pCO2 of 50
d. PH of 7.48,pCO2 of 30
e. pH of 7.32, pO2 of 90

Answer 1

The ABG parameter most likely found in a 32-year-old with an acute pulmonary embolism is 'd. PH of 7.48, pCO2 of 30', corresponding with an initial phase of respiratory alkalosis due to compensatory hyperventilation. The correct answer is option D

Step-by-step explanation:

The student is asking about which arterial blood gas (ABG) parameter might be likely in a 32-year-old female with an acute pulmonary embolism and no past medical history. In the case of an acute pulmonary embolism, the patient's blood is less likely to be well-oxygenated, which could lead to respiratory alkalosis initially, as the lungs try to compensate by breathing out carbon dioxide. This would cause a drop in carbon dioxide levels (pCO2) and an increase in pH. However, as the obstruction persists, hypoxemia may lead to respiratory acidosis.

Given the provided reference ranges and the understanding that acute pulmonary embolism initially causes respiratory alkalosis, we expect to find: pCO2 lower than normal and pH higher than normal. Over time, if the embolism persists, respiratory acidosis could occur, leading to a drop in pH and a rise in pCO2 due to inadequate gas exchange. Among the options, the pair that is most consistent with respiratory alkalosis is a pH of 7.48 and a pCO2 of 30 mm Hg, therefore the correct answer is 'd. PH of 7.48, pCO2 of 30'.