A nurse is caring for a client who has the following arterial blood values: pH 7.12, PaO2 56 mm Hg, PaCO2 65 mm Hg, and HCO3 22 mEq/L. Which clinical situation should the nurse correlate with these values?
- A. . Diabetic ketoacidosis in a person with emphysema
- B. Bronchial obstruction related to aspiration of a hot dog
- C. Anxiety-induced hyperventilation in an adolescen
- D. Diarrhea for 36 hours in an older, frail woman
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Diabetic ketoacidosis in a person with emphysema. The arterial blood values show a low pH (acidosis), high PaCO2 (respiratory acidosis), and normal HCO3 (compensatory metabolic alkalosis). This pattern is consistent with a mixed acid-base disorder seen in diabetic ketoacidosis where metabolic acidosis from ketone production is partially compensated by respiratory acidosis from decreased alveolar ventilation due to emphysema. The other choices do not align with the given blood values. Choice B is incorrect as it would typically show respiratory alkalosis. Choice C would show respiratory alkalosis with low PaCO2. Choice D would result in metabolic acidosis with low HCO3.
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The ICU nurse is caring for a patient who experienced trauma in a workplace accident. The patient is complaining
of having trouble breathing with abdominal pain. An ABG reveals the following results: pH
7.28, PaCO2 50 mm Hg, HCO3 23 mEq/L. The nurse should recognize the likelihood of what acidbase disorder?
- A. Respiratory acidosis
- B. Metabolic alkalosis
- C. Respiratory alkalosis
- D. Mixed acidbase disorder
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Mixed acid-base disorder. The ABG results show a pH within the acidic range (7.28), indicating acidosis. The PaCO2 is elevated (50 mm Hg), suggesting respiratory acidosis as the primary disorder. However, the HCO3 level is within normal range (23 mEq/L), which is not consistent with compensatory metabolic alkalosis. Therefore, the presence of both respiratory acidosis and normal HCO3 levels indicates a mixed acid-base disorder.
Choice A (Respiratory acidosis) is incorrect because although the patient has an elevated PaCO2, the normal HCO3 level rules out a pure respiratory acidosis. Choice B (Metabolic alkalosis) and C (Respiratory alkalosis) are incorrect as the ABG results do not support these diagnoses.
After administering 40 mEq of potassium chloride, a nurse evaluates the clients response. Which manifestations indicate that treatment is improving the clients hypokalemia? (Select all tha do not t apply.)
- A. Strong productive cough
- B. Active bowel sounds
- C. U waves present on the electrocardiogram (ECG)
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: U waves present on the electrocardiogram (ECG). U waves are indicative of hypokalemia, and their presence indicates that the potassium chloride treatment is improving the condition.
Explanation:
1. A: Strong productive cough - This manifestation is not related to potassium levels and does not indicate improvement in hypokalemia.
2. B: Active bowel sounds - While hypokalemia can cause gastrointestinal issues, active bowel sounds alone do not specifically indicate improvement in potassium levels.
3. C: U waves present on ECG - U waves are a classic ECG finding in hypokalemia. The presence of U waves indicates a positive response to potassium chloride treatment.
4. D: No response provided - Not applicable.
In summary, the presence of U waves on the ECG is a key indicator of improvement in hypokalemia, while the other manifestations do not directly relate to potassium levels.
After teaching a client who was malnourished and is being discharged, a nurse assesses the clients understanding. Which statement indicates the client correctly understood teaching to decrease risk for the development of metabolic acidosis?
- A. I will drink at least three glasses of milk each day.
- B. . I will eat three well-balanced meals and a snack daily.
- C. . I will not take pain medication and antihistamines together.
- D. I will avoid salting my food when cooking or during meals.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: "I will drink at least three glasses of milk each day." Milk is a good source of calcium and bicarbonate, which can help buffer excess acids in the body and prevent metabolic acidosis. Calcium also plays a role in maintaining the acid-base balance.
Option B is incorrect because while eating well-balanced meals is important for overall health, it does not specifically address the prevention of metabolic acidosis. Option C is irrelevant to the prevention of metabolic acidosis. Option D is incorrect because avoiding salting food does not directly address the underlying issue of metabolic acidosis related to malnutrition.
. One day after a patient is admitted to the medical unit, you note that the patient is oliguric. You notify the acutecare nurse practitioner who orders a fluid challenge of 200 mL of normal saline solution over
15 minutes. This intervention will achieve which of the following?
- A. Help distinguish hyponatremia from hypernatremia
- B. Help evaluate pituitary gland function
- C. Help distinguish reduced renal blood flow from decreased renal function
- D. Help provide an effective treatment for hypertension-induced oliguria
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Help distinguish reduced renal blood flow from decreased renal function.
Rationale:
1. Oliguria is a decrease in urine output.
2. Fluid challenge with normal saline can help determine the cause of oliguria by assessing the response of the kidneys.
3. If the oliguria improves after the fluid challenge, it suggests reduced renal blood flow as the cause.
4. If oliguria persists, it indicates decreased renal function.
Summary:
A. Fluid challenge does not directly help in distinguishing between hyponatremia and hypernatremia.
B. Evaluating pituitary gland function requires specific tests, not just a fluid challenge.
D. Treating hypertension-induced oliguria may involve different interventions, not just a fluid challenge.
The physician has ordered a peripheral IV to be inserted before the patient goes for computed tomography. What
should the nurse do when selecting a site on the hand or arm for insertion of an IV catheter?
- A. Choose a hairless site if available.
- B. Consider potential effects on the patients mobility when selecting a site.
- C. Have the patient briefly hold his arm over his head before insertion
- D. Leave the tourniquet on for at least 3 minutes.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because considering potential effects on the patient's mobility is crucial when selecting a site for IV insertion. Mobility can be affected if the IV is placed in a joint area or on the dominant hand. This could limit the patient's ability to move freely during and after the procedure. Therefore, it is important to choose a site that will not hinder the patient's movement.
A: Choosing a hairless site is not the most important factor when selecting a site for IV insertion.
C: Having the patient hold his arm over his head before insertion is not necessary and may cause discomfort for the patient.
D: Leaving the tourniquet on for at least 3 minutes is not recommended as it can lead to complications such as venous stasis.