A nurse is assisting with the care of a client who has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and is short of breath. When reviewing the client's arterial blood gases (ABGs), which of the following conditions should the nurse anticipate the client to be experiencing?
Respiratory acidosis
Respiratory alkalosis
Metabolic acidosis
Metabolic alkalosis
The Correct Answer is A
A. Respiratory acidosis: COPD often results in impaired gas exchange and decreased removal of carbon dioxide, leading to its accumulation in the blood. This results in respiratory acidosis, characterized by elevated PaCO2 and a decreased pH.
B. Respiratory alkalosis: This condition is generally associated with hyperventilation, where excessive loss of carbon dioxide leads to a higher blood pH. It is less common in COPD, where hypoventilation is more typical.
C. Metabolic acidosis: While COPD can sometimes lead to metabolic acidosis, it is not the primary condition associated with the disease. Metabolic acidosis usually results from conditions affecting the kidneys or metabolic processes.
D. Metabolic alkalosis: This is characterized by an increased blood pH due to a loss of acid or an excess of bicarbonate. It is not typically associated with COPD.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Osmoreceptors in the pituitary gland regulate the secretion of cortisol in response to changes in plasma osmolality: This is incorrect as the pituitary gland itself does not have osmoreceptors; rather, the hypothalamus contains osmoreceptors.
B. Osmoreceptors in the hypothalamus detect high plasma osmolality and stimulate the release of antidiuretic hormone (ADH), which enhances water reabsorption in the kidneys: This is correct. Osmoreceptors in the hypothalamus sense changes in plasma osmolality and regulate ADH release to maintain water balance.
C. Osmoreceptors in the kidneys monitor blood pressure changes and regulate aldosterone secretion to control sodium reabsorption and water balance: This is not correct because the kidneys primarily use juxtaglomerular cells to sense blood pressure changes and regulate aldosterone, not osmoreceptors.
D. Osmoreceptors in the hypothalamus detect low plasma osmolality and inhibit the release of antidiuretic hormone (ADH), leading to increased urine production: This is partially correct; osmoreceptors do detect low osmolality, but their inhibition of ADH would decrease urine production, not increase it.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. "Water moves from areas where the concentration of sodium is higher to areas where the concentration is lower.": This statement incorrectly describes the direction of water movement. Water typically moves towards areas of higher solute concentration (higher sodium levels) through osmosis.
B. "Sodium moves from areas where the concentration of solute is lower to areas where the concentration is higher.": Sodium does not move this way in dehydration; the main issue is the movement of water, not sodium, in response to osmotic gradients.
C. "Water and sodium particles move together to areas where sodium particles are higher.": Water and sodium do not move together. Water follows solute (sodium) through osmotic processes, but sodium does not move in this manner during dehydration.
D. "Water moves from areas where the concentration of sodium is lower to the areas where the concentration of sodium is higher.": This statement correctly explains the principle of osmosis. In dehydration, water is lost from the body, leading to higher sodium concentration in the blood. This higher concentration draws water from cells to balance the osmotic pressure, resulting in elevated sodium levels.
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