Given the blood gas results of a patient, what is the next step for the respiratory therapist?

• A. Perform a calibration of the instrument and repeat the analysis
• B. Administer sodium bicarbonate
• C. Report SaO2 as 76%
• D. Administer potassium chloride, IV

Answer: (A)

In the context of interpreting blood gas results, the first step a respiratory therapist should take if there is any suspicion of error or unusual results is to ensure the accuracy of the instrument used for measuring these gases. Performing a calibration of the instrument helps verify the reliability of the readings obtained. This step is crucial because inaccurate instrument calibration can lead to misleading clinical information, impacting the patient's diagnosis and subsequent treatment.

By calibrating the instrument, the therapist can confirm whether the initial readings are indeed valid or if they require reevaluation. This process assesses potential variability in measurements and ensures that subsequent decisions or interventions are based on accurate data. Hence, calibration serves as a foundational step before proceeding with any specific treatment or reporting potentially critical values derived from the blood gas analysis.