kelli099

Okay...here for example: A client, 5 days post-abdominal surgery, has a nasogastric tube. The nurse notes that the nasogastric tube (NGT) is draining a large amount (900 cc in 2hours) of coffee ground secretions. The client is not oriented to person, place, or time. The nurse contacts the attending physician and STAT ABGs are ordered. The results from the ABGs come back from the laboratory and show: pH = 7.52 Pa C02 = 35 mmHg HC03 = 29 mEq/L Once you have interpreted the ABG results, click on one of the following links Compensated Respiratory Alkalosis Uncompensated Metabolic Acidosis Compensated Metabolic Acidosis Uncompensated Metabolic Alkalosis

Well today was a huge lecture on acid base. We went through: The type of imbalance Pathophysiology Method of Compensation (if any) Common causes and why Major Signs and Symptoms Nursing Interventions For both Acute and Chronic resp/meta acidosis/alkalosis....WOW! We went through in depth the exchanging of the + and - ions and so on.... And I thought I was confused yesterday? I am not sure if its confusion or just being really overwhelmed. I am having a hard time visualizing this stuff. Or I am not finding a way of putting it all together. I went to some of those websites already and have found some of it useful...I am DEFINITELY checking out the rest this evening while at least a little of this is fresh in my head. Any other tips you have now that you know where I am is great. Thank you for your responses

Hey there So, I could really use some help. I can look at ABG values and in about 30 seconds tell you what the problem is with or without compensation or even partial...however I can't grasp this concept. Its not making sense. I dont even know whats not making sense. Its really frustrating. I read the material over and over and look at different books and more books and still nothing is settling in this head of mine... Does anyone have any ideas on how to explain it all to me or a place I can read it or any suggestions at all. Thank you.

HI I read a message that you were a recent grad from the RN program at Quincy College. I have just started my first semester 3 weeks ago....our first exam is this monday! I am freaking. Clinicals start the following day which I am not freaking out so much about. I feel as though they dont help you prepare too much for the actual exams and there is so much info that i dont know where to focus...do you have any suggestions or ideas that helped you along your way? Thank you so much and I hope you dont mind me sending you a message. Take care Kelli