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

Answer and Explanation

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

Quiz #1: RN Exams Pharmacology Exams Quiz #2: RN Exams Medical-Surgical Exams Quiz #3: RN Exams Fundamentals Exams Quiz #4: RN Exams Maternal-Newborn Exams Quiz #5: RN Exams Anatomy and Physiology Exams Quiz #6: RN Exams Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Quiz #7: RN Exams Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Quiz #8: RN Exams Community Health Exams Quiz #9: RN Exams Promoting Health across the lifespan Exams Quiz #10: RN Exams Multidimensional care Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Quiz #1: Naxlex RN Comprehensive online practice 2019 B with NGN Quiz #2: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Quiz #3: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Exit Exam A Quiz #4: Naxlex HESI Exit LPN Exam Quiz #5: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor PN 2020 Quiz #6: Naxlex VATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2020 Quiz #8: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 - Exam 1 Quiz #10: Naxlex HESI PN Exit exam Quiz #11: Naxlex HESI PN EXIT Exam 2

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A. Respiratory alkalosis: Respiratory alkalosis is generally associated with hyperventilation and is not directly caused by tension pneumothorax. In tension pneumothorax, the primary issues are related to pressure changes within the thoracic cavity, not respiratory alkalosis.

B. Increased venous return: In tension pneumothorax, venous return is actually decreased due to the increased intrathoracic pressure compressing the great vessels, which impedes blood flow back to the heart.

C. Decreased cardiac output: Tension pneumothorax causes a significant increase in intrathoracic pressure, leading to compression of the heart and great vessels, which results in decreased venous return and ultimately decreased cardiac output. This is a critical and life-threatening consequence of tension pneumothorax.

D. Dilated ventricles: Dilated ventricles are more commonly seen in chronic heart conditions such as heart failure, rather than in acute tension pneumothorax. Tension pneumothorax typically results in reduced ventricular filling rather than dilation.

A. Impaired carbon dioxide elimination due to shunting B. Decreased pulmonary arterial pressure due to ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) mismatch C. Hypoxemia due to dead space D. Decreased pulmonary compliance due to stiffness

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A. Impaired carbon dioxide elimination due to shunting: In ARDS, shunting can impair oxygenation but not directly carbon dioxide elimination. Shunting refers to blood flow through areas of the lung that are not ventilated properly, primarily affecting oxygenation.

B. Decreased pulmonary arterial pressure due to ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) mismatch: ARDS is typically associated with increased, not decreased, pulmonary arterial pressure due to the inflammatory process and reduced lung compliance. V/Q mismatch in ARDS usually results in elevated pulmonary arterial pressure.

C. Hypoxemia due to dead space: ARDS hypoxemia results from impaired gas exchange in damaged alveoli rather than dead space, which is more related to ventilation without perfusion.

D. Decreased pulmonary compliance due to stiffness: ARDS is characterized by decreased pulmonary compliance, which is due to the stiffening of lung tissue from inflammation and edema. This stiffness makes lung expansion more difficult and is a key feature of ARDS.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

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?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is collecting data for a client who has tension pneumothorax. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect following tracheal deviation?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A nurse is collecting data for a client who has acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A nurse is providing care to a client who reports facial pain, including dental pain in the upper teeth. Which of the following additional symptoms would lead the nurse to suspect sinusitis as the source of the pain?

A nurse is collecting data from a client who has seasonal allergies and is taking an antihistamine. Which of the following findings is an adverse effect of this type of medication?

A nurse is assisting with preparations for administering intravenous potassium replacement supplements to a client who has a potassium level of 2.5 mEq/L. Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to include? (Select all that apply.)

A charge nurse is reinforcing teaching to a group of nurses about hydrostatic pressure. Which of the following should the nurse include as a contributor to hydrostatic pressure?

Which of the following best describes the primary physiological role of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) in the regulation of cardiovascular function?

A nurse is reinforcing discharge instructions for a client who has asthma and is about to start using beclomethasone MDI. For which of the following findings should the nurse instruct the client to monitor and report to the provider as an adverse effect of the medication?

A nurse is collecting data for a client who has acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?