Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
A nurse is reviewing the following ABG results for a postoperative client: pH 7.27, PaCO2 49 mm Hg, PaO2 65 mm Hg, HCO 22 mEq/L. The nurse should interpret the findings as which of the following imbalances?
A. Respiratory acidosis
The ABG results show a low pH (acidosis), a high PaCO2 (respiratory component), and a normal HCO3 (metabolic component). This indicates respiratory acidosis, which is caused by hypoventilation and retention of carbon dioxide.
B. Metabolic acidosis
C. Respiratory alkalosis
D. Metabolic alkalosis
This question is an excerpt from Nurse Dive's nursing test bank - ATI RN adult medical surgical 2019 with NGN - Proctored Exam 3. Take the full exam now
Full Explanation
The ABG results show a low pH (acidosis), a high PaCO2 (respiratory component), and a normal HCO3 (metabolic component). This indicates respiratory acidosis, which is caused by hypoventilation and retention of carbon dioxide.
Similar Questions
A nurse is caring for a client in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Which of the following is the priority intervention by the nurse?
A. Administer 0.9% sodium chloride.
B. Initiate a continuous IV insulin infusion.
The priority intervention for a client in DKA is to initiate a continuous IV insulin infusion to lower the blood glucose level and reverse the ketosis. Insulin also helps to correct the electrolyte imbalance and acid-base imbalance in DKA.
C. Begin bicarbonate continuous IV infusion.
D. Check potassium levels.
Full Explanation
The priority intervention for a client in DKA is to initiate a continuous IV insulin infusion to lower the blood glucose level and reverse the ketosis. Insulin also helps to correct the electrolyte imbalance and acid-base imbalance in DKA.
A nurse is caring for a client who has anemia. Which of the following assessment findings should the nurse anticipate with the client's condition?
A. Bradycardia
B. Headache
Anemia is a condition characterized by a decrease in hemoglobin level or red blood cell count, resulting in reduced oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. This can cause various symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, pallor, dyspnea, tachycardia, and headache.
C. Heat intolerance
D. Flushed skin color
Full Explanation
Anemia is a condition characterized by a decrease in hemoglobin level or red blood cell count, resulting in reduced oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. This can cause various symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, pallor, dyspnea, tachycardia, and headache.
A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing an acute asthma attack. Which of the following should the nurse identify as a contributing factor to the client's manifestations?
A. Inability to exhale retained carbon dioxide
An acute asthma attack is a sudden worsening of asthma symptoms, such as coughing, wheezing, tightness in the chest, and difficulty breathing. These symptoms happen because the airways in the lungs become narrow, irritated, swollen, and produce excess mucus. An asthma attack can be triggered by various factors, such as allergic reactions, respiratory infections, tobacco smoke, cold air, and exercise. These triggers cause the immune system to react and release chemicals that cause inflammation and constriction of the airways. Based on this information, the best answer to the question is a. Inability to exhale retained carbon dioxide. This is because during an asthma attack, the narrowed airways make it harder to exhale the air from the lungs, which leads to a buildup of carbon dioxide in the blood. This can worsen the symptoms and cause acidosis, a condition where the blood becomes too acidic.
B. Acute loss of alveolar elasticity
Acute loss of alveolar elasticity is not a cause of asthma attacks, but a consequence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a different lung condition that involves damage to the alveoli, the tiny air sacs in the lungs.
C. Decreased responsiveness of airways to allergens
Decreased responsiveness of airways to allergens is not a cause of asthma attacks, but a goal of asthma treatment. Asthma medications aim to reduce the sensitivity and inflammation of the airways to prevent or reduce the frequency and severity of asthma attacks.
D. Suppressed bronchiolar inflammatory response
Suppressed bronchiolar inflammatory response is not a cause of asthma attacks, but a potential side effect of some asthma medications, such as corticosteroids. These drugs can suppress the immune system and increase the risk of infections in the airways.
Full Explanation
An acute asthma attack is a sudden worsening of asthma symptoms, such as coughing, wheezing, tightness in the chest, and difficulty breathing. These symptoms happen because the airways in the lungs become narrow, irritated, swollen, and produce excess mucus.
An asthma attack can be triggered by various factors, such as allergic reactions, respiratory infections, tobacco smoke, cold air, and exercise. These triggers cause the immune system to react and release chemicals that cause inflammation and constriction of the airways.
Based on this information, the best answer to the question is a. Inability to exhale retained carbon dioxide. This is because during an asthma attack, the narrowed airways make it harder to exhale the air from the lungs, which leads to a buildup of carbon dioxide in the blood. This can worsen the symptoms and cause acidosis, a condition where the blood becomes too acidic.
The other options are not correct because:
b. Acute loss of alveolar elasticity is not a cause of asthma attacks, but a consequence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a different lung condition that involves damage to the alveoli, the tiny air sacs in the lungs.
c. Decreased responsiveness of airways to allergens is not a cause of asthma attacks, but a goal of asthma treatment. Asthma medications aim to reduce the sensitivity and inflammation of the airways to prevent or reduce the frequency and severity of asthma attacks.
d. Suppressed bronchiolar inflammatory response is not a cause of asthma attacks, but a potential side effect of some asthma medications, such as corticosteroids. These drugs can suppress the immune system and increase the risk of infections in the airways.