Question

While caring for a patient with encephalitis, the nurse suspects that the patient has developed respiratory alkalosis. which finding in the patient supports the nurse's suspicion?

Answer 1

Encephalitis is an inflammatory condition of brain, wherein the brain's key functions may get altered.
The nurse might suspect respiratory alkalosis because when the respiratory system is stimulated the patient will hyperventilate. So it would mean there would be a decrease in carbon dioxide and bicarbonate ion concentration.
The normal range of bicarbonate ion concentration in blood is 22 to 26 mEq/L and the normal range of partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2) is 35 to 45 mm Hg.
Anything lower than the normal range would explain why the nurse thinks the patient would have respiratory alkalosis.
I hope this helps!!