A nurse is assessing a client who has acute kidney failure and is in a state of metabolic acidosis. The nurse should monitor for which of the following manifestations?
Bounding peripheral pulses
Hyperreflexia
Cool skin
Hypotension
The Correct Answer is D
A) Bounding peripheral pulses: Metabolic acidosis typically does not cause bounding peripheral pulses. In metabolic acidosis, vasodilation might occur, but it usually leads to weaker, not bounding, pulses due to decreased cardiac output and blood pressure.
B) Hyperreflexia: Hyperreflexia is not commonly associated with metabolic acidosis. Instead, metabolic acidosis may cause symptoms like muscle weakness or fatigue due to the effect of acid-base imbalance on neuromuscular function.
C) Cool skin: While cool skin can sometimes be associated with poor perfusion in severe cases, it is not a direct manifestation of metabolic acidosis. Metabolic acidosis more commonly affects internal physiology rather than peripheral skin temperature directly.
D) Hypotension: Hypotension is a common manifestation of metabolic acidosis. The acidosis leads to vasodilation and decreased cardiac contractility, resulting in a drop in blood pressure. This is a critical sign for the nurse to monitor as it indicates the severity of the acid-base imbalance and its effect on the cardiovascular system.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A) Offer the client a small meal if she is not nauseated:
While eating a small meal can help raise blood glucose levels, it is not the immediate priority in a severe hypoglycemia situation. The client might be unconscious or unable to swallow safely, making this action inappropriate as a first step.
B) Administer 1 mg of glucagon intramuscularly to the client:
Administering glucagon intramuscularly is the most crucial initial action. Glucagon rapidly increases blood glucose levels by stimulating glycogen breakdown in the liver. This is vital for quickly reversing severe hypoglycemia, especially if the client is unconscious or unable to ingest carbohydrates orally.
C) Contact the client's provider for further instructions:
Contacting the provider is essential, but it should occur after addressing the immediate hypoglycemic episode. Once the client's condition stabilizes, further guidance can be sought from the healthcare provider.
D) Transport the client to an emergency department for treatment:
Transporting the client to the emergency department is necessary if the hypoglycemia does not improve after administering glucagon or if the client remains unresponsive. However, it is not the first action; immediate glucagon administration takes precedence to stabilize the client's condition before considering transportation.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A) Cimetidine: Cimetidine is an H2 receptor antagonist used to reduce stomach acid and treat conditions such as peptic ulcers and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). It is not used to manage metabolic acidosis.
B) Calcitonin: Calcitonin is used to regulate calcium levels and treat conditions like osteoporosis or hypercalcemia. It does not address metabolic acidosis and is not appropriate for this condition.
C) Sodium bicarbonate: Sodium bicarbonate is commonly used to treat metabolic acidosis. It works by neutralizing excess acid in the blood, thereby increasing the blood's pH and helping to correct the acid-base imbalance associated with metabolic acidosis.
D) Sodium chloride: Sodium chloride is a salt that can be used to manage fluid and electrolyte imbalances but does not correct metabolic acidosis. It is not suitable for treating the acid-base imbalance seen in metabolic acidosis.
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