What arterial blood gas result should a nurse anticipate for a preterm infant with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS)?

For a preterm infant with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), the anticipated arterial blood gas result would often show a decreased blood pH. This condition is characterized by the infant's inability to adequately oxygenate blood and remove carbon dioxide due to immature lung development and surfactant deficiency.

In RDS, the impaired gas exchange leads to respiratory acidosis, which occurs when carbon dioxide levels increase (hypercapnia) in the blood, causing an accumulation of hydrogen ions and resulting in a lower blood pH (acidic environment). This is particularly relevant in preterm infants who often present with a compromised respiratory function immediately after birth.

While increased blood pH would indicate alkalosis and a normal blood pH suggests adequate respiratory function and metabolic balance, these are not typical findings for an infant suffering from RDS. Similarly, increased oxygen saturation would not be expected in this scenario due to the infant's struggles with effective lung function and oxygen transfer. Thus, decreased blood pH is the most accurate result one would expect in the context of RDS.