You are working on a burns unit, and one of your acutely ill patients is exhibiting signs and symptoms of third spacing. Based on this change in status, you should expect the patient to exhibit signs and symptoms of what imbalance?
- A. Metabolic alkalosis
- B. Hypermagnesemia
- C. Hypercalcemia
- D. Hypovolemia
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Rationale: Third spacing occurs when fluid shifts from the intravascular space to interstitial spaces, leading to hypovolemia. This results in decreased circulating blood volume, leading to signs of hypovolemia such as tachycardia, hypotension, and low urine output. Metabolic alkalosis, hypermagnesemia, and hypercalcemia are not directly related to third spacing and are not the expected imbalances in this scenario.
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A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing moderate metabolic alkalosis. Which action should the nurse take?
- A. Monitor daily hemoglobin and hematocrit values.
- B. Administer furosemide (Lasix) intravenously.
- C. Encourage the client to take deep breaths.
- D. Teach the client fall prevention measures.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Teach the client fall prevention measures. In metabolic alkalosis, the client may experience muscle weakness and confusion, increasing the risk of falls. Teaching fall prevention measures is essential to ensure the client's safety. Monitoring hemoglobin and hematocrit values (A) is not directly related to managing metabolic alkalosis. Administering furosemide (B) is not appropriate for metabolic alkalosis. Encouraging deep breaths (C) may not address the underlying cause of the alkalosis.
A nurse assesses a client who is admitted for treatment of fluid overload. Which manifestations should the nurse expect to find? (Select all that do not apply.)
- A. Increased pulse rate
- B. . Distended neck veins
- C. Warm and pink skin
- D. Skeletal muscle weakness
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Step 1: Fluid overload leads to increased fluid volume in the body, causing skin to appear pale, cool, and clammy due to poor circulation.
Step 2: "Warm and pink skin" is not a typical manifestation of fluid overload.
Step 3: Therefore, the correct answer is C.
Summary:
A: Increased pulse rate - Possible in fluid overload due to increased volume causing increased workload on the heart.
B: Distended neck veins - Common in fluid overload due to increased venous pressure.
C: Warm and pink skin - Incorrect, as skin is usually pale, cool, and clammy.
D: Skeletal muscle weakness - Not directly related to fluid overload.
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.
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.
A nurse assesses a client who is admitted with an acid-base imbalance. The clients arterial blood gas values are pH 7.32, PaO2 85 mm Hg, PaCO2 34 mm Hg, and HCO3 16 mEq/L. What action should the nurse take next?
- A. Assess clients rate, rhythm, and depth of respiration.
- B. Measure the clients pulse and blood pressure.
- C. Document the findings and continue to monitor.
- D. Notify the physician as soon as possible.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Assess clients rate, rhythm, and depth of respiration. The arterial blood gas values indicate a respiratory acidosis due to low pH and low PaCO2. The nurse should assess the respiratory status to determine if the client is hypoventilating, which is causing the retention of CO2 and subsequent acidosis. Assessing the rate, rhythm, and depth of respiration will help determine if the client requires immediate intervention such as oxygen therapy, mechanical ventilation, or respiratory treatment.
Choice B is incorrect because measuring pulse and blood pressure does not directly address the underlying cause of the acid-base imbalance. Choice C is incorrect as the nurse should take immediate action to address the imbalance rather than passively monitoring. Choice D is incorrect as immediate intervention is needed to address the respiratory acidosis.