Acid Base Balance RN Q10 1 / 10 A registered nurse (RN) is assisting in the care of a client who overdosed on aspirin 24 hours ago. The RN would report to the doctor which of the following findings associated with an anticipated acid-base disturbance? Drowsiness, headache, and tachypnea Decreased respiratory rate and depth, cardiac irregularities Disorientation and dyspnea Decreased respiratory rate, tachypnea, dizziness, and paresthesias Answer = Drowsiness, headache, and tachypnea. Overdosing on aspirin will increase respiratory rate. Aspirin has a direct effect on the respiratory center in the brain leading to hyperventilation. 2 / 10 Claire, a nurse, is assisting in the care of a client for whom an arterial blood gas (ABG) must be drawn. The nurse notes that the person who draws the blood sample from the radial artery performs Allen’s test first. The nurse understands that this is being done to determine the adequacy of the: Carotid circulation Ulnar circulation Femoral and Carotid circulation Brachial circulation Ulnar circulation. The Allen's test is used to assess collateral blood flow to the hands, generally in preparation for a procedure that has the potential to disrupt blood flow in either the radial or the ulnar artery. 3 / 10 Mr. Cisco, 48 years old, has been diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome. A nurse is assisting to admit Mr. Cisco. The nurse knows that if the disease is severe enough, Mr. Cisco will be at risk for which of the following acid-base imbalances? Metabolic alkalosis Metabolic acidosis Respiratory acidosis Respiratory alkalosis Respiratory acidosis. Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS) is a rapid-onset muscle weakness caused by the immune system damaging the peripheral nervous system. Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) often appears after a respiratory infection. 4 / 10 Ella, 17 years old, is determined to be in respiratory alkalosis by blood gas analysis. The nurse would monitor Ella for signs of which of the following electrolyte disorders that could accompany the acid-base imbalance? Hypernatremia and hypercalcemia Hypochloremia Hypercalcemia Hypokalemia Hypokalemia. Persistent respiratory alkalosis can induce secondary hypokalemia and hypocalcemia that may cause cardiac arrhythmias, conduction abnormalities, and various somatic symptoms. 5 / 10 Mr. Andreacchi, 55 years old, had an ileostomy created a few days ago. Mr. Andreacchi has a high output of drainage from his ileostomy, the nurse monitors Mr. Andreacchi for signs of: Metabolic acidosis Compensated respiratory alkalosis Respiratory acidosis Respiratory alkalosis Metabolic acidosis. Patients with ileostomies can develop diverse and potentially life-threatening acute electrolyte and acid-base disorders when ileostomy drainage increases. Either metabolic acidosis or metabolic alkalosis can occur, depending on the nature and duration of the losses. 6 / 10 A nurse is caring for Mr. Irehovbude, a 28 years old client, who is nervous and is hyperventilating. The nurse would monitor the client for signs of which of the following acid-base imbalances? Metabolic acidosis Respiratory alkalosis Metabolic alkalosis Respiratory acidosis Respiratory alkalosis. As the client hyperventilates, he will lose carbon dioxide. The reduced carbon dioxide will lead to alkalosis. 7 / 10 Ms. Smith is being treated for metabolic acidosis with medication therapy and other measures. The nurse would plan to most carefully note the levels of which of the following electrolytes, which could dramatically decline with effective treatment of the acidosis? Sodium level Potassium level Magnesium level Phosphorus level Potassium level. Potassium is highly alkaline in nature, making it beneficial for neutralizing excess acid. 8 / 10 Mr. Berta, 58 years old with a chronic airflow limitation, is experiencing respiratory acidosis as a complication. The nurse who is trying to enhance Mr. Berta’s respiratory status would avoid doing which of the following? Keeping the head of the bed elevated Monitoring the flow rate of supplemental oxygen Assisting Mr. Berta to turn, cough, and deep breathe Encouraging Mr. Berta to breathe slowly and shallowly Mr. Berta should AVOID breathing slowly and shallowly. A hypoventilating (excessively shallow breathing) person does not expel enough carbon dioxide and has elevated blood carbon dioxide levels. 9 / 10 Mr. Cho, 46 years old, has been diagnosed with diabetes mellitus. He has a blood glucose on admission of 460 mg/dl (25.5 mmol/l). The nurse anticipates that Mr. Cho would be experiencing which of the following types of acid-base imbalance? Metabolic acidosis Metabolic alkalosis Respiratory acidosis Respiratory alkalosis Metabolic acidosis. Since the pancreas is involved with diabetes mellitus this would be a metabolic issue. Diabetes mellitus would lead to acidosis. 10 / 10 Ms. Huan, 60 years old, is anxious. She is experiencing respiratory alkalosis from hyperventilation due to anxiety. The nurse would do which of the following to help Ms. Huan experiencing this acid-base disorder? Put Ms. Huan in a supine position. Provide emotional support and reassurance. Tell Ms. Huan to breathe very deeply but more slowly. Withhold all antianxiety medications. Provide emotional support and reassurance. This will help to reduce her anxiety. Your score is
