单选题
The nurse is caring for a client with adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). What is the most likely laboratory finding in the early stages of this disease?
A. Increased carboxyhemoglobin.
B. Decreased partial pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO2).
C. Increased partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide (PaCO2).
D. Decreased bicarbonate (
A. Increased carboxyhemoglobin.
B. Decreased partial pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO2).
C. Increased partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide (PaCO2).
D. Decreased bicarbonate (
【正确答案】
B
【答案解析】Decreased PaO2 indicates hypoxemia, which is a universal finding in ARDS. The PaO2 level is low early in the disease due to hyperventilation and then elevates later in the disease due to fatigue and worsening clinical status. The 