A nurse is assessing a client who has respiratory alkalosis.
Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
Dry skin
Diarrhea
Abdominal pain
Hyperventilation
Hyperventilation
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A rationale:
Dry skin is not typically associated with respiratory alkalosis. Respiratory alkalosis occurs when the levels of carbon dioxide and oxygen in the blood aren’t balanced, often due to hyperventilation. Dry skin is not listed as a common symptom of this condition.
Choice B rationale:
Diarrhea is not a common symptom of respiratory alkalosis. The condition is characterized by symptoms such as dizziness, numbness, confusion, and shortness of breath. Diarrhea is more commonly associated with gastrointestinal issues rather than respiratory conditions.
Choice C rationale:
Abdominal pain is not a typical symptom of respiratory alkalosis. The condition is usually caused by over-breathing
(hyperventilation) that occurs when you breathe very deeply or rapidly. Abdominal pain is not listed as a common symptom of this condition.
Choice D rationale:
Hyperventilation is typically the underlying cause of respiratory alkalosis. Hyperventilation, also known as overbreathing, occurs when someone breathes very deeply or rapidly. This can cause the levels of carbon dioxide in the blood to drop too low, leading to respiratory alkalosis. Therefore, a nurse assessing a client who has respiratory alkalosis should expect to find signs of hyperventilation.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
The statement “I do my wheelchair exercises sitting in my chair” is correct. Wheelchair exercises are designed to be performed while seated in a wheelchair. They help to maintain muscle strength and flexibility, which is crucial for individuals with paralysis.
Choice B rationale:
The statement “I use a suppository every night to have a bowel movement” is also correct. Individuals with paralysis often have difficulty with bowel movements due to lack of muscle control. Using a suppository can stimulate the rectum and induce a bowel movement. Choice C rationale:
The statement “I need to catheterize myself twice a day” indicates a need for further teaching. Individuals with paralysis from the waist down following a spinal cord injury typically need to perform intermittent self-catheterization every 4-6 hours, not just twice a day. This helps to prevent urinary tract infections and bladder overdistension.
Choice D rationale:
The statement “I carry a water bottle with me because I drink a lot of water” is correct. Drinking plenty of water is important for overall health and can help to prevent urinary tract infections, which are common in individuals who self-catheterize.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Administering insulin to a client who is hyperventilating due to respiratory alkalosis would not be the appropriate action. Insulin is used to lower blood glucose levels in clients with hyperglycemia, such as those with diabetes mellitus. It does not directly address the issues of hyperventilation or respiratory alkalosis.
Choice B rationale:
Having the client breathe into a paper bag is the correct action in this case. When a person hyperventilates, they exhale more carbon dioxide (CO2) than they produce. This can lead to a state of respiratory alkalosis, where the blood becomes too alkaline due to the low levels of CO2. By breathing into a paper bag, the client re-inhales some of the exhaled CO2, helping to restore the balance of gases in the blood and alleviate the symptoms of respiratory alkalosis.
Choice C rationale:
Administering sodium bicarbonate to a client who is hyperventilating and has respiratory alkalosis would not be the appropriate action. Sodium bicarbonate is an alkalinizing agent used to treat conditions where there is too much acid in the body, such as metabolic acidosis. In this case, the client’s body is too alkaline due to the respiratory alkalosis, so administering an alkalinizing agent would exacerbate the condition.
Choice D rationale:
Having the client place their head between their knees would not be the appropriate action for a client who is hyperventilating due to respiratory alkalosis. This position is often used to help alleviate symptoms of dizziness or fainting, but it does not address the underlying issue of the imbalance of gases in the blood due to hyperventilation.
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