A client with a bowel obstruction is experiencing intractable vomiting for the last several hours despite the administration of prescribed antiemetics. The nurse obtains the client's arterial blood gas (ABG) results which identify a pH of 7.50, a PaCO2 of 42 mm Hg, and an HCO3 of 33 me/L (33 mmol/L). The nurse should interpret these results as confirming which acid-base imbalance?

Respiratory acidosis.

Metabolic acidosis.

Metabolic alkalosis.

Respiratory alkalosis.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

Choice A reason: Respiratory acidosis is characterized by a low pH and an elevated PaCO2 due to hypoventilation, which results in CO2 retention. The ABG results in this case show a normal PaCO2, making this option incorrect.

Choice B reason: Metabolic acidosis is characterized by a low pH and a low HCO3 due to an accumulation of acids or loss of bicarbonate. The ABG results show a high pH and a high HCO3, which are opposite to the findings of metabolic acidosis.

Choice C reason: Metabolic alkalosis is characterized by a high pH and an elevated HCO3. This condition can result from excessive loss of stomach acid due to vomiting or the use of diuretics. The ABG results show a pH of 7.50 and HCO3 of 33 me/L, both indicative of metabolic alkalosis.

Choice D reason: Respiratory alkalosis is characterized by a high pH and a low PaCO2 due to hyperventilation, which leads to CO2 loss. The ABG results show a normal PaCO2, ruling out respiratory alkalosis as the correct diagnosis.

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A reason: While it is important for the client to accept their new health status, this outcome is subjective and difficult to measure. The focus should be on specific, measurable outcomes related to diabetes management.

Choice B reason: A haemoglobin A1C level of less than 7.0% in 3 months is a specific, measurable outcome that indicates good control of blood glucose levels. It reflects adherence to the prescribed diabetic regimen and effective management of the condition.

Choice C reason: Educating the client's family about the signs and symptoms of diabetes is important, but it is more of a teaching objective rather than a measurable outcome for the client's plan of care.

Choice D reason: Monitoring the client's skin condition for colour changes is part of routine care but does not directly address the management of diabetes or measure the effectiveness of the treatment plan.

A. A haemoglobin of 12 g/dL (7.45 mmol/L) and haematocrit of 42% (0.42 volume fraction). B. Vital signs are temperature 99.0°F (37.2°C) orally, heart rate 94 beats/minute, respirations 18 breaths/minute, blood pressure 110/70 mm Hg. C. Vomits coffee-grounds emesis. D. Reports having sharp epigastric pain.

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A reason: A haemoglobin level of 12 g/dL (7.45 mmol/L) and haematocrit of 42% (0.42 volume fraction) are slightly lower than the reference range but not critically low. This finding is important and needs to be monitored, but it does not require the most immediate intervention.

Choice B reason: The vital signs provided are within normal limits and do not indicate an urgent or life-threatening condition. These should be monitored, but they do not require immediate intervention compared to other findings.

Choice C reason: Vomiting coffee-grounds emesis is a sign of gastrointestinal bleeding, specifically indicating that blood has been in the stomach long enough to be partially digested by stomach acid, giving it a coffee-grounds appearance. This is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition requiring immediate medical intervention to stop the bleeding and prevent further complications.

Choice D reason: Sharp epigastric pain is a common symptom of peptic ulcer disease and indicates inflammation or ulceration. While it is painful and concerning, it does not require the most immediate intervention compared to active gastrointestinal bleeding.

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

The nurse is developing a plan of care for a client who reports frequent urination and who is newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Which outcome should the nurse include in the plan of care for this client?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A client with peptic ulcer disease (PUD) is admitted to the medical unit. Which assessment finding requires the most immediate intervention by the nurse?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A client with ulcerative colitis is admitted to the medical unit during an acute exacerbation. The nurse should instruct the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) to report which finding related to the client's bowel movements?

A client reports a 2-day history of fever, vomiting, and diarrhea. The healthcare provider prescribes serum electrolyte levels to be obtained. Which laboratory results should the nurse expect?

The nurse administers regular insulin SUBQ at 0700 to a client with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM), after which the client eats one-half of the breakfast provided. At 1000, the client reports being hungry. Which action should the nurse implement?

The nurse plans to provide diet instructions to a client who was recently diagnosed with diverticulosis. Which dietary modification should the nurse include in the teaching plan?

A client with cholelithiasis has a gallstone lodged in the common bile duct and is unable to eat or drink without becoming nauseated and vomiting. Which finding should the nurse report to the healthcare provider?

A client is newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The nurse is educating the client about self-monitoring blood glucose (SMBG) and haemoglobin A1C. Which statement by the client indicates teaching has been effective?

A client with heart failure (HF) is waiting in the preoperative area for a scheduled procedure and tells the nurse, "My heart feels like it is beating too fast and I feel faint." After initiating a call for an electrocardiogram (ECG), which assessment data is most important for the nurse to obtain?