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A client manages peptic ulcer disease (PUD) with excessive amounts of oral antacids. Signs/symptoms of which acid-base imbalance should the nurse assess for?
- A. Metabolic acidosis
- B. Metabolic alkalosis
- C. Respiratory acidosis
- D. Respiratory alkalosis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Oral antacids can be effective treatment for PUD when administered properly, but when they are taken in excess they can lead to metabolic alkalosis (a pH of more than 7.45 and a bicarbonate ion [HCO3] level of more than 27 mEq/L [27 mmol/L]). As effective therapy for PUD, antacids bind with the hydrochloric acid (HCl-) of gastric secretions and halt the corrosive action of the HCl-. However, antacids are alkaline substances, and excessive administration can exceed the kidney's ability to clear the excess HCO3, which leads to the accumulation of HCO3, an increased pH, and metabolic alkalosis. Metabolic acidosis occurs when the pH is low and the HCO3 is low; respiratory acidosis occurs when the pH is low and the partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PCO2) is high; and respiratory alkalosis occurs when the pH is high and the PCO2 is low.
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A child is admitted to the hospital with a suspected diagnosis of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) and diagnostic studies are performed. Which diagnostic result is indicative of this disorder?
- A. An elevated platelet count
- B. Elevated hemoglobin and hematocrit levels
- C. Bone marrow exam showing increased megakaryocytes
- D. Bone marrow exam indicating increased immature white blood cells
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The laboratory manifestations of ITP include the presence of a low platelet count of usually less than 20,000 mm^3 (20 × 10^9/L). Thrombocytopenia is the only laboratory abnormality expected with ITP. If there has been significant blood loss, there is evidence of anemia in the blood cell count. If a bone marrow examination is performed, the results with ITP show a normal or increased number of megakaryocytes, which are the precursors of platelets. Option 4 indicates the bone marrow result that would be found in a child with leukemia.
The nurse performs an assessment on a client with a history of heart failure who has been taking diuretics on a long-term basis. The nurse reviews the medication record, knowing that which medication, if prescribed for this client, would place the client at risk for hypokalemia?
- A. Bumetanide
- B. Triamterene
- C. Spironolactone
- D. Hydrochlorothiazide
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Bumetanide is a loop diuretic. The client on this medication would be at risk for hypokalemia. Triamterene, spironolactone, and hydrochlorothiazide are potassium-retaining diuretics.
A client had arterial blood gases drawn. The results are a pH of 7.34, a partial pressure of carbon dioxide of 37 mm Hg (37 mm Hg), a partial pressure of oxygen of 79 mm Hg (79 mm Hg), and a bicarbonate level of 19 mEq/L (19 mmol/L). Which disorder should the nurse interpret that the client is experiencing?
- A. Metabolic acidosis
- B. Metabolic alkalosis
- C. Respiratory acidosis
- D. Respiratory alkalosis
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Metabolic acidosis occurs when the pH falls to less than 7.35 and the bicarbonate level falls to less than 22 mEq/L (22 mmol/L). With metabolic alkalosis, the pH rises to more than 7.45 and the bicarbonate level rises to more than 27 mEq/L (27 mmol/L). With respiratory acidosis, the pH drops to less than 7.35 and the carbon dioxide level rises to more than 45 mm Hg. With respiratory alkalosis, the pH rises to more than 7.45 and the carbon dioxide level falls to less than 35 mm Hg.
A 3-week-old infant is brought to the well-baby clinic for a phenylketonuria (PKU) screening test. The nurse reviews the results of the serum phenylalanine levels and notes that the level is 1.0 mg/dL (60 mmol/L). What is the nurse's priority action?
- A. Report the test as inconclusive.
- B. Tell the mother that the test is normal.
- C. Prepare to perform another test on the client.
- D. Notify the pediatrician that the test is moderately elevated.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The normal PKU level is 0.8 to 1.8 mg/dL (48 to 109 mmol/L). With early postpartum discharge, screening is often performed when the infant is less than 2 days old because of the concern that the infant will be lost to follow-up. Infants should be rescreened by the time that they are 14 days old if the initial screening was done when the infant was 24 to 48 hours old.
What is the nurse's priority for the postprocedure care of a client who has just returned to the unit after a scheduled intravenous pyelogram (IVP)?
- A. Maintaining the client on bed rest
- B. Ambulating the client in the hallway
- C. Encouraging the increased intake of oral fluids
- D. Encouraging the client to try to void frequently
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: After IVP, the client should take in increased fluids to aid in the clearance of the dye used for the procedure. The client is usually allowed activity as tolerated, without any specific activity guidelines. It is unnecessary to void frequently after the procedure.