A client who is experiencing respiratory distress is admitted with respiratory acidosis.

Which pathophysiological process supports the client's respiratory acidosis?

Carbon dioxide is converted in the kidneys for elimination.

Hyperventilation is eliminating carbon dioxide rapidly.

High levels of carbon dioxide have accumulated in the blood.

Blood oxygen levels are stimulating the respiratory rate.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

Choice A rationale:

Incorrect. The kidneys do play a role in acid-base balance, but they primarily eliminate acids other than carbon dioxide. They do not significantly convert carbon dioxide for elimination.

Elaboration: While the kidneys help regulate acid-base balance through reabsorption and excretion of bicarbonate and hydrogen ions, their role in carbon dioxide elimination is minimal. They primarily excrete acids like uric acid, phosphoric acid, and lactic acid.

Choice B rationale:

Incorrect. Hyperventilation would decrease carbon dioxide levels, not contribute to respiratory acidosis. Respiratory acidosis is characterized by elevated carbon dioxide levels.

Elaboration: Hyperventilation leads to rapid and excessive breathing, causing a decrease in carbon dioxide levels in the blood. This can result in respiratory alkalosis, not respiratory acidosis.

Choice C rationale:

Correct. Respiratory acidosis is caused by the accumulation of carbon dioxide in the blood. This can happen due to impaired ventilation, such as in conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pneumonia, or respiratory failure.

Elaboration: Carbon dioxide is produced as a byproduct of cellular metabolism. It is normally removed from the body through exhalation. When ventilation is impaired, carbon dioxide cannot be efficiently eliminated, leading to its buildup in the blood. This excess carbon dioxide reacts with water to form carbonic acid, lowering blood pH and causing respiratory acidosis.

Choice D rationale:

Incorrect. Low blood oxygen levels (hypoxemia) can stimulate the respiratory rate, but this would not directly cause respiratory acidosis. It might lead to hyperventilation, which could potentially cause respiratory alkalosis.

Elaboration: The body's respiratory center in the brainstem regulates breathing based on blood oxygen and carbon dioxide levels. Hypoxemia triggers a compensatory increase in respiratory rate to enhance oxygen intake. However, this response does not directly contribute to respiratory acidosis.

Nursing Test Bank

Test Bank #1: RN Pharmacology Exams Test Bank #2: RN Medical-Surgical Exams Test Bank #3: RN Fundamentals Exams Test Bank #4: RN Maternal-Newborn Exams Test Bank #5: RN Anatomy and Physiology Exams Test Bank #6: RN Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Test Bank #7: RN Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Test Bank #9: RN Adult Health Test Bank #10: RN Dosage Calculation Test Bank #11: RN Community Health Exams Test Bank #12: RN Psychology Exams Test Bank #13: RN Nursing Care Of Children Test Bank #14: RN Foundations of Nursing Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Exam #1: RN Comprehensive predictor 2023 proctored exam Exam #2: Ati rn vati comprehensive predictor proctored exam Exam #3: Ati Rn Comprehensive Predictor Proctored Exam 2023 Exam #4: Rn Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Proctored Exam - St. Joseph Exam #5: RN Comprehensive Predictor Proctored Exam (National U CA San Diego) Exam #6: Ati rn comprehensive predictor 2023 retake proctored exam Exam #7: RN Hesi Exit Proctored Exam Exam #8: Hesi RN Exit proctored exam Exam #9: Hesi rn exit proctored exam Exam #10: Hesi Rn compass exit B proctored exam

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is ["38"]

Explanation

Here are the steps to calculate the IV flow rate:

Step 1: Calculate the volume to be infused per minute.

75 mL ÷ 30 minutes = 2.5 mL/minute

Step 2: Multiply the volume per minute by the drop factor to determine the drops per minute.

2.5 mL/minute × 15 gtt/mL = 37.5 gtt/minute

Step 3: Round the answer to the nearest whole number. The nurse should regulate the IV to deliver 38 gtt/minute.

A. Measure oxygen saturation. B. Auscultate bowel sounds. C. Assess body temperature. D. Check serum creatinine.

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Measuring oxygen saturation is not directly relevant to the administration of vancomycin or the monitoring of its potential side effects. While oxygen saturation is important to assess in patients with respiratory concerns, it does not provide information about kidney function, which is essential for safe vancomycin use.

Choice B rationale:

Auscultating bowel sounds, while a part of general abdominal assessment, is not the most crucial action before administering vancomycin. Vancomycin is not known to have significant effects on bowel motility, and its primary concern is nephrotoxicity.

Choice C rationale:

Assessing body temperature can be helpful in evaluating for infection, but it is not the most specific or sensitive indicator of vancomycin-related adverse effects. Fever can be a sign of various conditions, and it does not directly assess kidney function.

Choice D rationale:

Checking serum creatinine is the most essential action before administering vancomycin because it allows for assessment of kidney function. Vancomycin is primarily excreted by the kidneys, and impaired renal function can lead to elevated drug levels and increased risk of nephrotoxicity. By checking serum creatinine, the nurse can ensure that the patient's kidney function is adequate to safely excrete vancomycin and can adjust the dosage or frequency of administration if necessary.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

A client who is experiencing respiratory distress is admitted with respiratory acidosis.Which pathophysiological process supports the client's respiratory acidosis?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

The healthcare provider prescribes an IV solution of clindamycin 850 mg in 75 ml of D5W to infuse over 30 minutes. The drop factor is 15 gtt/mL. The nurse should regulate the IV to deliver how many gtt/minute? (Enter numeric value only. If rounding is required, round to the nearest whole number.)

Correct Answer is ["38"]

Explanation

The client with Clostridium difficile in the stool receives a prescription for vancomycin PO. Which action should the nurse take before administering the first dose?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A 51-year-old male client with pneumonia has undergone several days of antibiotic and respiratory treatment. Given the following assessment findings, mark whether they indicate that the treatment was effective or ineffective:

A client with psoriasis returns to the clinic reporting the persistence of several silvery, scaly areas on the elbows and palms that frequently burn and sometimes bleed.Which prescription should the nurse teach the client to use for the skin condition?

The nurse is caring for a client who is taking diclofenac for rheumatoid arthritis. During a clinic visit, the client appears pale and reports increasing fatigue. Which of the client’s serum laboratory values is most important for the nurse to review?

Patient Data shows that on Day 1, there were no active processes.On Day 2, there were small bilateral lower lobes pulmonary infiltrates with the right lower lobe showing increased involvement compared to the left side.What is the likely diagnosis?

A client with psoriasis returns to the clinic reporting the persistence of several silvery, scaly areas on the elbows and palms that frequently burn and sometimes bleed.Which prescription should the nurse teach the client to use for the skin condition?

A client with newly diagnosed Crohn's disease asks the nurse about dietary restrictions. How should the nurse respond?

While changing a client’s postoperative dressing, the nurse observes purulent drainage at the wound.Before reporting this finding to the healthcare provider, which of the client’s laboratory values should the nurse note?

A client who is experiencing respiratory distress is admitted with respiratory acidosis.

Which pathophysiological process supports the client's respiratory acidosis?