Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN)

What would a nurse expect to see in a 12-month-old infant with dehydration and metabolic acidosis?

1. A reduced WBC count

2. A decreased platelet count

3. Shallow respirations

4. Tachypnea

The correct answer is: Tachypnea

In the context of a 12-month-old infant experiencing dehydration and metabolic acidosis, the presence of tachypnea is a physiological response the nurse would expect to observe. Tachypnea, which refers to an increased rate of breathing, occurs as the body attempts to compensate for metabolic acidosis. When the blood becomes more acidic, the body works to eliminate excess carbon dioxide through faster, deeper breathing. This respiratory compensation helps to balance the pH levels in the blood. In this situation, the infant's respiratory rate increases as a reflex action to mitigate the acidosis. The body senses the increased acidity and reacts by increasing ventilation to expel more carbon dioxide, which subsequently can help raise the blood pH towards normal levels. The other choices do not directly relate to the specific compensatory mechanisms associated with dehydration and metabolic acidosis in this age group. For example, while a reduced WBC count and a decreased platelet count might be laboratory findings in certain conditions, they are not typical compensatory responses to metabolic acidosis. Shallow respirations would indicate a different clinical scenario, often seen in respiratory distress rather than as a response to metabolic acidosis. Overall, recognizing tachypnea as an expected finding in this scenario highlights the importance of understanding