A nurse evaluates a client's arterial blood gas values (ABGs): pH 7.1, PaCO2 70 mm Hg, and HCO3 22 mEq/L. Which intervention does the nurse implement first?

Assess the airway.

Administer prescribed bronchodilators.

Administer prescribed mucolytics.

Provide oxygen.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

A.   Assessing the airway is always a priority in any client care situation, especially when there are respiratory abnormalities such as respiratory acidosis. Ensuring a patent airway is crucial to maintain adequate oxygenation and ventilation.
B.   Bronchodilators are typically used to treat conditions such as bronchoconstriction in asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, in the context of respiratory acidosis with an elevated PaCO2, the primary issue is not bronchoconstriction but rather impaired gas exchange due to inadequate ventilation.
C.   Mucolytics are medications used to thin mucus and facilitate its removal from the respiratory tract. While they can be beneficial in conditions with thick secretions, they do not address the underlying cause of respiratory acidosis, which is inadequate CO2 elimination.
D.   Providing oxygen can help improve oxygenation in clients with respiratory acidosis. However, it is important to note that oxygen alone will not correct the underlying cause of respiratory acidosis (elevated PaCO2). Oxygen therapy is supportive and helps to improve oxygen delivery to tissues while other interventions are addressed.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A. Metabolic acidosis is characterized by a low pH (<7.35) and a decreased bicarbonate (HCO3) level (<22 mEq/L). The ABG results show a pH of 7.30 and HCO3 of 18 mEq/L, which are consistent with metabolic acidosis. The low HCO3 indicates that there is an accumulation of acids or loss of bicarbonate in the blood.
B. Metabolic alkalosis is characterized by a high pH (>7.45) and an elevated bicarbonate level (>26 mEq/L). The ABG results show a low pH and low HCO3, which do not support metabolic alkalosis.
C. Respiratory alkalosis is characterized by a high pH (>7.45) and a low PaCO2 (<35 mm Hg). The pH in this scenario is low (7.30), which does not align with respiratory alkalosis.
D. Respiratory acidosis is characterized by a low pH (<7.35) and an elevated PaCO2 (>45 mm Hg). While the pH is low, indicating acidosis, the PaCO2 in this case is low (28 mm Hg), which does not support respiratory acidosis.

A. Explain the surgical procedure to the client. B. Validate the signature is authentic. C. Verify the client understands the surgical procedure. D. Confirm that the consent is voluntary. E. Establish that the client is able to pay for the surgical procedure.

Correct Answer is ["B","C","D"]

No explanation

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A nurse evaluates a client's arterial blood gas values (ABGs): pH 7.1, PaCO2 70 mm Hg, and HCO3 22 mEq/L. Which intervention does the nurse implement first?

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is caring for a client who has the following arterial blood gas results: HCO3 18 mEq, PaCO2 28 mm Hg and pH 7.30. The nurse recognizes the client is experiencing which of the following acid base imbalances?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A nurse is obtaining informed consent from a client who is preoperative. Which of the following actions should the nurse take? (Select all that apply.)

Correct Answer is ["B","C","D"]

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