Nokea
A female client who has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has presented in the emergency department with cough productive of yellow sputum and increasing shortness of breath. On room air, her blood gases are as follows: pH 7.30 mm Hg, PCO2 60 mm Hg, PO2 55 mm Hg, HCO3 32 mEq/L. These arterial blood gases reflect:
- A. Compensated respiratory acidosis
- B. Normal blood gases
- C. Uncompensated metabolic acidosis
- D. Uncompensated respiratory acidosis
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Low pH, high PCO2, and normal HCO3 indicate uncompensated respiratory acidosis, reflecting acute exacerbation of COPD.
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A client with a history of heart failure is admitted with complaints of dyspnea. The nurse should give priority to:
- A. Administering diuretics
- B. Monitoring blood pressure
- C. Administering pain medication
- D. Monitoring temperature
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Diuretics reduce fluid overload in heart failure, relieving dyspnea and improving oxygenation.
A client is admitted with sickle cell crises and sequestration. Upon assessing the client, the nurse would expect to find:
- A. Decreased blood pressure
- B. Moist mucus membranes
- C. Decreased respirations
- D. Increased blood pressure
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Sickle cell crisis with sequestration can lead to hypovolemia due to blood pooling in organs, resulting in decreased blood pressure.
The nurse is teaching a client with a history of lactose intolerance about dietary modifications. The nurse should tell the client to avoid:
- A. Dairy products
- B. High-fiber foods
- C. Lean meats
- D. Fresh fruits
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Dairy products contain lactose, which causes gastrointestinal symptoms in lactose intolerance, so they should be avoided.
The client is admitted to the ER with multiple rib fractures on the right. The nurse's assessment reveals that an area over the right clavicle is puffy and that there is a "crackling" noise with palpation. The nurse should further assess the client for which of the following problems?
- A. Flail chest
- B. Subcutaneous emphysema
- C. Infiltrated subclavian IV
- D. Pneumothorax
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Puffy skin and crackling (crepitus) over the clavicle suggest subcutaneous emphysema, where air escapes into tissues, often with rib fractures. Flail chest (A) involves paradoxical chest movement, infiltrated IV (C) is unrelated, and pneumothorax (D) causes absent breath sounds.
A client with Addison's disease has been receiving glucocorticoid therapy. Which finding indicates a need for dosage adjustment?
- A. Dryness of the skin and mucus membranes
- B. Dizziness when rising to a standing position
- C. A weight gain of six pounds in the past week
- D. Difficulty in remaining asleep
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Rapid weight gain (6 pounds in a week) suggests fluid retention, a sign of glucocorticoid excess, requiring dosage adjustment. Dizziness may indicate underdosing, and the other symptoms are less specific.