Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
A woman was brought to the emergency department of a hospital after she fell into the ground and hurt her left leg. She is noted to be tachycardic and tachypneic. Painkillers were carried out to lessen her pain. Suddenly, she started complaining that she is still in pain and now experiencing muscle cramps, tingling, and paraesthesia. Measurement of arterial blood gas reveals pH 7.6, PaO2 120 mm Hg. PaCO2 31 mm Hg, and HCO3 25 mmol/L.
What does this mean?
A. Respiratory Acidosis, Partially Compensated
This is incorrect because the pH is indicative of alkalosis, not acidosis, and the body has not compensated.
B. Respiratory Alkalosis, Uncompensated
The arterial blood gas (ABG) values provided indicate a pH of 7.6, which is above the normal range (7.35-7.45), suggesting alkalosis. The PaCO2 is low at 31 mm Hg, indicating hyperventilation, which is a respiratory process. Since the HCO3 is normal at 25 mmol/L, it suggests that the metabolic system is not the cause of the alkalosis. The body has not had time to compensate for the high pH with renal adjustments to the bicarbonate level, which would be seen in a partially compensated state.
C. Metabolic Alkalosis. Uncompensated
This is incorrect because the bicarbonate level is normal, suggesting the metabolic system is not the cause.
D. Metabolic Alkalosis. Partially Compensated
This is incorrect because the bicarbonate level is normal, suggesting the metabolic system is not the cause.
This question is an excerpt from Nurse Dive's nursing test bank - Ati Med Surg Proctored Exam 8. Take the full exam now
Full Explanation
A. This is incorrect because the pH is indicative of alkalosis, not acidosis, and the body has not compensated.
B. The arterial blood gas (ABG) values provided indicate a pH of 7.6, which is above the normal range (7.35-7.45), suggesting alkalosis. The PaCO2 is low at 31 mm Hg, indicating hyperventilation, which is a respiratory process. Since the HCO3 is normal at 25 mmol/L, it suggests that the metabolic system is not the cause of the alkalosis. The body has not had time to compensate for the high pH with renal adjustments to the bicarbonate level, which would be seen in a partially compensated state.
C. This is incorrect because the bicarbonate level is normal, suggesting the metabolic system is not the cause.
D. This is incorrect because the bicarbonate level is normal, suggesting the metabolic system is not the cause.
Similar Questions
A nurse is teaching a client who has a new diagnosis of hyperparathyroidism. The nurse should include in the teaching that the client is at risk for which of the following complications?
A. Pathologic fractures
Hyperparathyroidism can lead to bone resorption and weakening, putting the client at risk for fractures.
B. Impaired skin integrity
This is not directly associated with hyperparathyroidism.
C. Fluid retention
Hyperparathyroidism typically leads to hypercalcemia, which can result in polyuria and dehydration rather than fluid retention.
D. Dysphagia
This is not directly associated with hyperparathyroidism.
Full Explanation
A. Hyperparathyroidism can lead to bone resorption and weakening, putting the client at risk for fractures.
B. This is not directly associated with hyperparathyroidism.
C. Hyperparathyroidism typically leads to hypercalcemia, which can result in polyuria and dehydration rather than fluid retention.
D. This is not directly associated with hyperparathyroidism.
A staff nurse is teaching a client who has Addison's disease about the disease process. The client asks the nurse what causes Addison's disease. Which of the following responses should the nurse make?
A. "It is caused by the lack of production of insulin by the pancreas.."
This statement describes the cause of diabetes mellitus, not Addison's disease.
B. "It is caused by the overproduction of growth hormone by the pituitary gland."
This statement describes the cause of acromegaly, not Addison's disease.
C. "It is caused by the overproduction of parathormone by the parathyroid gland."
This statement describes the cause of hyperparathyroidism, not Addison's disease.
D. "It is caused by the lack of production of aldosterone by the adrenal gland."
This is the correct explanation of the cause of Addison's disease, which involves adrenal insufficiency.
Full Explanation
A. This statement describes the cause of diabetes mellitus, not Addison's disease.
B. This statement describes the cause of acromegaly, not Addison's disease.
C. This statement describes the cause of hyperparathyroidism, not Addison's disease.
D. This is the correct explanation of the cause of Addison's disease, which involves adrenal insufficiency.
A nurse is reviewing the arterial blood gas (ABG) results of a client who the provider suspects has metabolic acidosis. Which of the following results should the nurse expect to see?
A. PaCO; above 45 mm Hg
Elevated PaCO2 would be seen in respiratory acidosis, not metabolic acidosis.
B. pH below 7.35
Metabolic acidosis is characterized by a decreased pH.
C. HCO, above 26 mEq/L
This result would indicate metabolic alkalosis, not metabolic acidosis.
D. PaO, below 70 mm Hg
This result would indicate hypoxemia but is not specific to metabolic acidosis.
Full Explanation
A. Elevated PaCO2 would be seen in respiratory acidosis, not metabolic acidosis.
B. Metabolic acidosis is characterized by a decreased pH.
C. This result would indicate metabolic alkalosis, not metabolic acidosis.
D. This result would indicate hypoxemia but is not specific to metabolic acidosis.