Acid-Base Balance and Respiratory Nursing Concepts

Vocabulary flashcards covering acid-base imbalances, arterial blood gas interpretation steps, respiratory conditions, and clinical nursing interventions from the lecture.

Respiratory Acidosis

An acid-base imbalance caused by CO2 retention (hypoventilation), resulting in a low pH and a high CO2 level.

Uncompensated Respiratory Acidosis

An acid-base state characterized by a low pH, high CO2, and a normal HCO3- level because the kidneys have not yet started compensating.

Partially Compensated Respiratory Acidosis

An acid-base state where pH remains low and CO2 remains high, but HCO3- levels rise above normal as the kidneys begin holding onto bicarb.

Fully Compensated Respiratory Acidosis

An acid-base state where the pH returns to normal range, while both CO2 and HCO3- levels remain high.

Respiratory Alkalosis

An acid-base imbalance caused by hyperventilation (excessive exhaling of CO2), resulting in a high pH and a low CO2 level.

Metabolic Acidosis

An acid-base imbalance characterized by a low pH and low serum HCO3-, commonly caused by DKA, severe diarrhea, lactic acidosis, or renal failure.

Metabolic Alkalosis

An acid-base imbalance characterized by a high pH and high serum HCO3-, commonly caused by excessive vomiting, gastric suctioning, or overuse of antacids.

Normal Respiratory Rate

The standard adult breathing frequency, defined in lecture as $12$ to $18$ breaths per minute.

Narcan Indication Threshold

Administered during a narcotic overdose when hypoventilation drops the respiratory rate to $8$ respirations per minute or less.

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Mechanism

Carbon monoxide binds to hemoglobin acting as oxygen, forcing cells into anaerobic metabolism and producing lactic acid, which leads to metabolic acidosis.

Acetylcysteine (Mucomyst)

A mucolytic drug administered orally or via nebulizer; when delivered through a nebulizer, it has a distinct smell of rotten eggs.

Albuterol Side Effects

Common side effects of this short-acting bronchodilator include tachycardia and anxiety.

Advair

A long-acting steroid inhaler intended for daily asthma management, not for acute rescue situations.

Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) Insertion Angle

A $90^\times$ angle of needle entry used to puncture an artery in the wrist to collect arterial blood.

Target SpO2 for Chronic CO2 Retainers

An oxygen saturation range of 88\text{\normalfont{\%}} to 92\text{\normalfont{\%}} targeted for patients with chronic conditions like COPD.

Incentive Spirometer Technique

A lung expansion therapy method where the patient is instructed to inhale deeply (breathe IN) rather than exhale into the device.

Paper Bag Rebreathing

An intervention used during hyperventilation to increase the re-breathing of exhaled CO2.

Ondansetron (Zofran)

An antiemetic medication used to stop vomiting, thereby preventing further loss of gastric acid and metabolic alkalosis.