A client is experiencing metabolic acidosis.
The nurse anticipates that the client’s respiratory rate will be:
Increased.
Decreased.
Normal.
Irregular.
The Correct Answer is A
Metabolic acidosis is a condition in which there is excess acid in the body fluids.
It causes rapid breathing, confusion, tiredness, headache, and increased heart rate.
Rapid breathing is a compensatory mechanism that helps to lower the carbon dioxide levels and increase the pH of the blood.
Choice B is wrong because decreased respiratory rate would worsen the acidosis by retaining more carbon dioxide and lowering the pH of the blood.
Choice C is wrong because normal respiratory rate would not be adequate to compensate for the metabolic acidosis and would result in acidemia (low blood pH).
Choice D is wrong because irregular respiratory rate is not a typical response to metabolic acidosis and could indicate other problems such as brain injury or drug overdose.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Hyponatremia is a condition where sodium levels in your blood are lower than normal. This can cause symptoms such as nausea, headache, confusion, muscle weakness and seizures. A hypertonic saline solution is a fluid that has a higher concentration of sodium than normal blood. It can help restore the sodium balance and prevent or treat the complications of hyponatremia.
Choice A is wrong because restricting fluid intake may not be enough to correct severe hyponatremia and may worsen the symptoms if the cause is sodium loss.
Choice C is wrong because encouraging increased fluid intake may further dilute the sodium levels and worsen the condition.
Choice D is wrong because administering a loop diuretic may increase the urine output and cause more sodium loss, leading to more severe hyponatremia.
Normal ranges for blood sodium levels are between 135 and 145 milliequivalents per liter (mEq/L).
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Sodium is the major extracellular electrolyte in the body.
It is responsible for maintaining the extracellular fluid volume, and also for regulation of the membrane potential of cells.
Sodium is exchanged along with potassium across cell membranes as part of active transport.
Choice B is wrong because potassium is mainly an intracellular ion.
It is important for nerve and muscle function, but it is not the predominant electrolyte in the extracellular fluid.
Choice C is wrong because calcium is not the major electrolyte in the extracellular fluid.
Calcium is mostly found in bones and teeth, where it forms a mineral reserve with phosphate.
Calcium also plays a role in muscle contraction, blood clotting, and enzyme activity.
Choice D is wrong because magnesium is not the major electrolyte in the extracellular fluid.
Magnesium is mostly found in bones, where it helps to stabilize the structure of ATP2.
Magnesium also participates in enzyme reactions, nerve and muscle function, and protein synthesis.
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