A client is admitted to the medical-surgical unit with a chief complaint of prolonged vomiting over the past 24 hours. Based on the arterial blood gas (ABG) results of pH 7.5. PaCO2 36, HCO3 40, the nurse determines that the client is experiencing:
respiratory alkalosis.
respiratory acidosis.
metabolic acidosis.
metabolic alkalosis.
The Correct Answer is D
D. Metabolic alkalosis is characterized by an increased pH (alkalosis) and an increased HCO3. In this case, the pH is elevated (7.5), indicating alkalosis, which supports metabolic alkalosis. The HCO3 is elevated at 40 mEq/L, which further supports metabolic alkalosis. The PaCO2 is normal or slightly low (36 mmHg), which can occur as a compensatory response to metabolic alkalosis.

A. Respiratory alkalosis is characterized by an increase in pH (alkalosis) and a decrease in PaCO2 (hypocapnia). In this scenario, the pH is elevated (7.5), which indicates alkalosis. The PaCO2 is 36 mmHg, which is within the normal range (35-45 mmHg) but slightly on the lower side (slight hypocapnia). The HCO3 is elevated at 40 mEq/L, which suggests a compensatory response by the kidneys to retain bicarbonate to counteract the alkalosis.
B. Respiratory acidosis is characterized by a decrease in pH (acidosis) and an increase in PaCO2 (hypercapnia). In this case, the pH is elevated (7.5), indicating alkalosis, which contradicts respiratory acidosis. The PaCO2 is 36 mmHg, which is normal or slightly low, not high as expected in respiratory acidosis. The elevated HCO3 (40 mEq/L) suggests a compensatory metabolic response to the alkalosis, not to acidosis.
C. Metabolic acidosis is characterized by a decreased pH (acidosis) and a decreased HCO3. In this scenario, the pH is elevated (7.5), indicating alkalosis, which contradicts metabolic acidosis. The HCO3 is elevated at 40 mEq/L, indicating metabolic alkalosis rather than metabolic acidosis.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["B","C","D","F"]
Explanation
B. Physician and nurse practitioner orders specify the medical treatments, medications, and interventions prescribed for the client. These orders are essential for guiding care at the subacute care facility and are a critical part of the legal health record.
C. A living will, also known as an advance directive, outlines the client's preferences for medical treatment and care in the event they are unable to communicate their wishes. It is a legal document that guides decision-making regarding end-of-life care.
D. Vital sign flow records document the client's vital signs over time, including measurements such as blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature. These records are essential for monitoring the client's health status and detecting trends or changes.
F. Nurses' assessments document the nursing observations, assessments, and interventions provided to the client. These assessments are crucial for ongoing nursing care and should be included in the legal health record.
A. Event or unusual occurrence reports document any incidents or deviations from the standard of care that occur during the client's hospitalization. These reports are important for quality improvement and risk management but are typically not included in the legal health record unless they directly impact the client's care.
E. Proof of residence or property ownership documents are not typically included in the legal health record. These documents are unrelated to the client's medical care and are considered personal or administrative records.
Correct Answer is ["A","B","E"]
Explanation
A. This is located on the lateral side of the thigh. It is a commonly used site for infants, toddlers, and young children, as well as adults who require large-volume injections.

B. This site is located on the hip or gluteal region. It is considered one of the safest and least painful sites for intramuscular injections in adults. It is also used when the volume of medication is larger or when the dorsogluteal site is contraindicated.
E. This site is located on the upper arm, specifically the lateral aspect. It is commonly used for vaccines and medications that require smaller volumes in adults and older children.
C. There is no specific muscle called the "rectus lateralis." It seems to be a combination of the rectus femoris (a muscle in the quadriceps group of the thigh) and the vastus lateralis. However, neither "rectus lateralis" nor "rectus femoris" is commonly used as a distinct injection site in clinical practice.
D. This site is located on the buttocks. Historically, it was a commonly used site for intramuscular injections, but it has fallen out of favor due to the potential risk of injury to the sciatic nerve and superior gluteal artery.
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