A nurse has been assigned to care for a client diagnosed with a small bowel obstruction. The client has a nasogastric tube attached to suction for 2 days. Which arterial blood gas result will the nurse expect to see for this client?

Metabolic alkalosis

Respiratory acidosis

Metabolic acidosis

Respiratory alkalosis

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

A.   This condition occurs because the suctioning can lead to a significant loss of hydrochloric acid from the stomach. Since hydrochloric acid is one of the components that maintain the acid-base balance in the body, its loss can lead to an increase in blood pH, causing alkalosis
B.   Respiratory acidosis occurs due to retention of carbon dioxide (CO2), leading to an increase in PaCO2 and a decrease in pH. In the context of a small bowel obstruction with nasogastric tube suctioning, this is less likely unless there are concurrent respiratory issues.
C.   This condition occurs because the suctioning can lead to a significant loss of hydrochloric acid from the stomach. Since hydrochloric acid is one of the components that maintain the acid-base balance in the body, its loss can lead to an increase in blood pH, causing alkalosis. Acidosis is, therefore, unlikely.
D.   Respiratory alkalosis occurs due to hyperventilation, leading to a decrease in PaCO2 and an increase in pH. This is less likely in the context of nasogastric tube suctioning unless there are other contributing factors.

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A. A pH of 7.45 indicates alkalosis, not acidosis. In respiratory acidosis, the pH would be lower than normal (below 7.35) due to the accumulation of carbon dioxide.
B. A bicarbonate (HCO3-) level of 30 mEq/L is within the normal range (typically 22-26 mEq/L). Bicarbonate levels may be normal or slightly elevated in respiratory acidosis as a compensatory mechanism to buffer the excess acid.
C. Potassium levels can vary in respiratory acidosis but are not typically specified by a specific value. The level of potassium is more directly related to metabolic acid-base disturbances rather than respiratory acidosis.
D. An elevated PaCO2 level above 45 mm Hg indicates respiratory acidosis. In this scenario, a PaCO2 of 50 mm Hg suggests that the client is retaining carbon dioxide, leading to an acidotic state (lower pH).

A. Hemoglobin B. Creatinine C. Blood urea nitrogen D. Potassium

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A. Hemoglobin levels are important for assessing oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. While anemia can affect tissue oxygenation and exacerbate symptoms in heart failure, it is not directly related to the risk of digoxin toxicity.
B. Creatinine levels are used to assess kidney function. Impaired kidney function can affect the clearance of digoxin from the body, potentially increasing the risk of toxicity. However, potassium levels have a more direct impact on the risk of digoxin toxicity.
C. BUN levels are also used to assess kidney function. Similar to creatinine, impaired kidney function can affect digoxin clearance, but potassium levels are more directly related to the risk of digoxin toxicity.
D. Potassium levels are critical because hypokalemia (low potassium) can predispose the client to digoxin toxicity. Digoxin competes with potassium for binding sites on the sodium-potassium ATPase pump in cardiac cells. When potassium levels are low, digoxin can bind more readily to these pumps, leading to increased toxicity and potentially life-threatening arrhythmias such as ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation.

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A nurse has been assigned to care for a client diagnosed with a small bowel obstruction. The client has a nasogastric tube attached to suction for 2 days. Which arterial blood gas result will the nurse expect to see for this client?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is reviewing the laboratory values of a client who has respiratory acidosis. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A nurse is planning to administer digoxin to a client who has heart failure. Which of the following laboratory results is the priority for the nurse to review prior to administering the medication?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A nurse has been assigned to care for a client diagnosed with a small bowel obstruction. The client has a nasogastric tube attached to suction for 2 days. Which arterial blood gas result will the nurse expect to see for this client?

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