Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
An adolescent who is brought to the emergency department (ED) with a fever and persistent lower right quadrant abdominal pain is anxious, fearful, and hyperventilating.
The nurse anticipates the client developing which acid-base imbalance?
A. Metabolic alkalosis.
Metabolic alkalosis is caused by a loss of acid or a gain of base. It is not typically associated with anxiety or hyperventilation.
B. Respiratory alkalosis.
Respiratory alkalosis is caused by hyperventilation, which leads to a decrease in carbon dioxide levels in the blood. This can occur in response to anxiety, pain, or other stressors.
C. Metabolic acidosis.
Metabolic acidosis is caused by a buildup of acid in the blood or a loss of bicarbonate. It is not typically associated with anxiety or hyperventilation.
D. Respiratory acidosis.
Respiratory acidosis is caused by hypoventilation, which leads to an increase in carbon dioxide levels in the blood. It is not typically associated with anxiety or hyperventilation.
This question is an excerpt from Nurse Dive's nursing test bank - HESI PN Exit 2023 Proctored Exam. Take the full exam now
Full Explanation
The correct answer is choice B.
Choice A rationale: Metabolic alkalosis is caused by a loss of acid or a gain of base. It is not typically associated with anxiety or hyperventilation.
Choice B rationale: Respiratory alkalosis is caused by hyperventilation, which leads to a decrease in carbon dioxide levels in the blood. This can occur in response to anxiety, pain, or other stressors.
Choice C rationale: Metabolic acidosis is caused by a buildup of acid in the blood or a loss of bicarbonate. It is not typically associated with anxiety or hyperventilation.
Choice D rationale: Respiratory acidosis is caused by hypoventilation, which leads to an increase in carbon dioxide levels in the blood. It is not typically associated with anxiety or hyperventilation.
Similar Questions
While caring for a client with a full-thickness burn covering 40% of the body surface area (BSA), the nurse observes purulent drainage at the wound.
Before reporting this finding to the healthcare provider, the nurse should note which of the client's laboratory values?
A. Serum blood glucose (BG) level.
Serum blood glucose (BG) level is not directly related to the presence of purulent drainage at a burn wound site. Elevated BG levels might be seen in clients with diabetes or as a stress response, but they are not the primary indicator of infection or wound complications.
B. Neutrophil count.
C. Serum albumin.
Serum albumin levels can be relevant in assessing nutritional status and the body's ability to heal wounds. However, they do not directly indicate the presence of infection or purulent drainage. Low serum albumin levels may be seen in clients with malnutrition but do not provide immediate information about the wound.
D. Hematocrit.
Hematocrit measures the percentage of red blood cells in the blood and is not directly related to the presence of purulent drainage at a burn wound site. Elevated hematocrit may indicate dehydration or hemoconcentration but does not specifically address the issue of wound infection.
Full Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Serum blood glucose (BG) level is not directly related to the presence of purulent drainage at a burn wound site. Elevated BG levels might be seen in clients with diabetes or as a stress response, but they are not the primary indicator of infection or wound complications.
Choice C rationale:
Serum albumin levels can be relevant in assessing nutritional status and the body's ability to heal wounds. However, they do not directly indicate the presence of infection or purulent drainage. Low serum albumin levels may be seen in clients with malnutrition but do not provide immediate information about the wound.
Choice D rationale:
Hematocrit measures the percentage of red blood cells in the blood and is not directly related to the presence of purulent drainage at a burn wound site. Elevated hematocrit may indicate dehydration or hemoconcentration but does not specifically address the issue of wound infection.
The nurse is preparing a community outreach program on primary disease prevention.
Which topic should the nurse plan to include in this event?
A. Domestic violence assistance.
Domestic violence assistance is an important topic, but it falls under secondary and tertiary prevention rather than primary disease prevention, which is the focus of this community outreach program. Primary prevention aims to prevent the disease from occurring in the first place, while domestic violence assistance addresses an existing issue.
B. Blood pressure screening.
Blood pressure screening is valuable for early detection of hypertension, but it also falls under secondary prevention. Primary prevention focuses on preventing the onset of diseases through measures such as immunizations, health education, and lifestyle modifications.
C. Immunizations that are available.
D. Outreach for support group information.
Outreach for support group information is essential for clients with chronic conditions or specific needs. However, it is not primarily related to preventing diseases at the population level, which is the primary goal of this community outreach program. This topic may be more relevant to secondary and tertiary prevention efforts.
Full Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Domestic violence assistance is an important topic, but it falls under secondary and tertiary prevention rather than primary disease prevention, which is the focus of this community outreach program. Primary prevention aims to prevent the disease from occurring in the first place, while domestic violence assistance addresses an existing issue.
Choice B rationale:
Blood pressure screening is valuable for early detection of hypertension, but it also falls under secondary prevention. Primary prevention focuses on preventing the onset of diseases through measures such as immunizations, health education, and lifestyle modifications.
Choice D rationale:
Outreach for support group information is essential for clients with chronic conditions or specific needs. However, it is not primarily related to preventing diseases at the population level, which is the primary goal of this community outreach program. This topic may be more relevant to secondary and tertiary prevention efforts.
A client who weighs 176 pounds receives a prescription for norepinephrine 2 mcg/min intravenously (IV). The IV bag is labeled, "Norepinephrine 4 mg in dextrose 5% in water (D;W) 1,000 mL." How many mL/hour should the nurse program the infusion pump? (Enter numerical value only.).
Full Explanation
The correct answer is 30 mL/hour.
Step 1 is to calculate the total amount of norepinephrine in the IV bag: 4 mg norepinephrine ÷ 1000 mL = 0.004 mg/mL
Step 2 is to convert the patient's weight from pounds to kilograms: 176 pounds ÷ 2.2 = 80 kilograms
Step 3 is to calculate the total amount of norepinephrine the patient will receive per minute: 2 mcg/min × 60 min = 120 mcg/min
Step 4 is to convert micrograms (mcg) to milligrams (mg): 120 mcg ÷ 1000 = 0.12 mg
Step 5 is to calculate the total volume of norepinephrine needed per hour: 0.12 mg ÷ 0.004 mg/mL = 30 mL/hour
Therefore, the nurse should program the infusion pump to deliver 30 mL/hour.