Respiratory acidosis, an elevation in the PaCO2 level, is caused by hypoventilation with resultant excess carbonic acid. Acidosis can be due to or associated with primary defects in lung function or changes in normal respiratory pattern. The disorder may be acute or chronic.
Nursing Care Plan
Below is a nursing care plan and nursing diagnosis for patients with respiratory acidosis.
Impaired Gas Exchange
May be related to
- Ventilation perfusion imbalance (altered oxygen-carrying capacity of blood, altered oxygen supply, alveolar-capillary membrane changes, or altered blood flow)
Possibly evidenced by
- Dyspnea with exertion, tachypnea
- Changes in mentation, irritability
- Tachycardia
- Hypoxia, hypercapnia
Desired Outcomes
- Demonstrate improved ventilation and adequate oxygenation of tissues as evidenced by ABGs within patient’s acceptable limits and absence of symptoms of respiratory distress.
- Verbalize understanding of causative factors and appropriate interventions.
- Participate in treatment regimen within level of ability/situation.
| Nursing Interventions | Rationale |
|---|---|
| Monitor respiratory rate, depth, and effort. | Alveolar hypoventilation and associated hypoxemia lead to respiratory distress or failure. |
| Auscultate breath sounds. | Identifies areas of decreased ventilation (atelectasis) or airway obstruction and changes as patient deteriorates or improves, reflecting effectiveness of treatment, dictating therapy needs. |
| Note declining level of consciousness. | Signals severe acidotic state, which requires immediate attention. Note: In recovery, sensorium clears slowly because hydrogen ions are slow to cross the blood-brain barrier and clear from cerebrospinal fluid and brain cells. |
| Monitor heart rate and rhythm. | Tachycardia develops early because the sympathetic nervous system is stimulated, resulting in the release of catecholamines, epinephrine, and norepinephrine, in an attempt to increase oxygen delivery to the tissues. Dysrhythmias that may occur are due to hypoxia (myocardial ischemia) and electrolyte imbalances. |
| Note skin color, temperature, moisture. | Diaphoresis, pallor, cool or clammy skin are late changes associated with severe or advancing hypoxemia. |
| Encourage and assist with deep-breathing exercises, turning, and coughing. Suction as necessary. Provide airway adjunct as indicated. Place in semi-Fowler’s position. | These measures improve lung ventilation and reduce or prevent airway obstruction associated with accumulation of mucus. |
| Restrict use of hypnotic sedatives or tranquilizers. | In the presence of hypoventilation, respiratory depression and CO2 narcosis may develop. |
| Discuss cause of chronic condition (when known) and appropriate interventions and self-care activities. | Promotes participation in therapeutic regimen, and may reduce recurrence of disorder. |
| Assist with identification or treatment of underlying cause. | Treatment of disorder is directed at improving alveolar ventilation. Addressing the primary condition (oversedation, lung and respiratory system trauma, pulmonary edema, aspiration) promotes correction of the acid-base disorder. |
| Monitor and graph serial ABGs, pulse oximetry readings; Hb, serum electrolyte levels. | Evaluates therapy need and effectiveness. Note: Bedside pulse oximetry monitoring is used to show early changes in oxygenation before other signs or symptoms are observed. |
| Administer oxygen as indicated. Increase respiratory rate or tidal volume of ventilator, if used. | Prevents and corrects hypoxemia and respiratory failure. Note: Must be used with caution in presence of emphysema because respiratory depression or failure may result. |
| Assist with ventilatory aids: IPPB in conjunction with bronchodilators. Monitor peak flow pressure. | Increases lung expansion and opens airways to improve ventilation, preventing respiratory failure. |
| Maintain hydration (IV/PO) and provide humidification. | Assists in correction of acidity and thinning and mobilization of respiratory secretions. |
| Provide appropriate chest physiotherapy, including postural drainage and breathing exercises. | Aids in clearing secretions, which improves ventilation, allowing excess CO2 to be eliminated. |
| Administer IV solutions such as lactated Ringer’s solution or 0.6 M solution of sodium lactate. | May be useful in nonemergency situations to help control acidosis, until underlying respiratory problem can be corrected. |
| Administer medications as indicated: | |
| Naloxone hydrochloride (Narcan) | May be useful in arousing patient and stimulating respiratory function in presence of drug overdose and sedation, or acidosis resulting from cardiac arrest. |
| Sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) | May be given in small IV doses in emergency situations to quickly correct acidosis if pH is less than 7.25 and hyperkalemia coexists. Note: Rebound alkalosis or tetany may occur. |
| Potassium chloride (KCl) | Replaces potassium that shifts out of cells during acidotic state. Correction of the acidosis may cause a relative serum hypokalemia as potassium shifts back into cells. Potassium imbalance can impair neuromuscular or respiratory function, causing generalized muscle weakness and cardiac dysrhythmias. |
| Bronchodilators | Helps open constricted airways to improve gas exchange. |
| Provide low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet (Pulmocare feedings), if indicated. | Helps reduce CO2 production and improves respiratory muscle function and metabolic homeostasis. |
[epic-split-end]
Recommended Resources
Recommended nursing diagnosis and nursing care plan books and resources.
Disclosure: Included below are affiliate links from Amazon at no additional cost from you. We may earn a small commission from your purchase. For more information, check out our privacy policy.
Ackley and Ladwig’s Nursing Diagnosis Handbook: An Evidence-Based Guide to Planning Care
We love this book because of its evidence-based approach to nursing interventions. This care plan handbook uses an easy, three-step system to guide you through client assessment, nursing diagnosis, and care planning. Includes step-by-step instructions showing how to implement care and evaluate outcomes, and help you build skills in diagnostic reasoning and critical thinking.
Nursing Care Plans – Nursing Diagnosis & Intervention (10th Edition)
Includes over two hundred care plans that reflect the most recent evidence-based guidelines. New to this edition are ICNP diagnoses, care plans on LGBTQ health issues, and on electrolytes and acid-base balance.
NANDA International Nursing Diagnoses: Definitions & Classification, 2021-2023
The definitive guide to nursing diagnoses is reviewed and approved by NANDA International. In this new version of a pioneering text, all introductory chapters have been rewritten to provide nurses with the essential information they need to comprehend assessment, its relationship to diagnosis and clinical reasoning, and the purpose and application of taxonomic organization at the bedside. A total of 46 new nursing diagnoses and 67 amended nursing diagnostics are presented.
Nurse’s Pocket Guide: Diagnoses, Prioritized Interventions, and Rationales
Quick-reference tool includes all you need to identify the correct diagnoses for efficient patient care planning. The sixteenth edition includes the most recent nursing diagnoses and interventions from NANDA-I 2021-2023 and an alphabetized listing of nursing diagnoses covering more than 400 disorders.
Nursing Diagnosis Manual: Planning, Individualizing, and Documenting Client Care
Identify interventions to plan, individualize, and document care for more than 800 diseases and disorders. Only in the Nursing Diagnosis Manual will you find for each diagnosis subjectively and objectively – sample clinical applications, prioritized action/interventions with rationales – a documentation section, and much more!
All-in-One Nursing Care Planning Resource – E-Book: Medical-Surgical, Pediatric, Maternity, and Psychiatric-Mental Health
Includes over 100 care plans for medical-surgical, maternity/OB, pediatrics, and psychiatric and mental health. Interprofessional “patient problems” focus familiarizes you with how to speak to patients.
See also
Other recommended site resources for this nursing care plan:
- Nursing Care Plans (NCP): Ultimate Guide and Database MUST READ!
Over 150+ nursing care plans for different diseases and conditions. Includes our easy-to-follow guide on how to create nursing care plans from scratch. - Nursing Diagnosis Guide and List: All You Need to Know to Master Diagnosing
Our comprehensive guide on how to create and write diagnostic labels. Includes detailed nursing care plan guides for common nursing diagnostic labels.
Other nursing care plans related to endocrine system and metabolism disorders:
- Acid-Base Balance
- Addison’s Disease | 3 Care Plans
- Cushing’s Disease | 6 Care Plans
- Diabetes Mellitus Type 1 (Juvenile Diabetes) | 4 Care Plans
- Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 | 17 Care Plans
- Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) and Hyperglycemic Hyperosmolar Nonketotic Syndrome (HHNS) | 4 Care Plans
- Eating Disorders: Anorexia & Bulimia Nervosa | 7 Care Plans
- Fluid and Electrolyte Imbalances
- Gestational Diabetes Mellitus | 4 Care Plans
- Hyperthyroidism | 7 Care Plans
- Hypothyroidism | 3 Care Plans
- Obesity | 5 Care Plans
- Thyroidectomy | 5 Care Plans