A nurse is caring for a client who has acute kidney injury (AKI). Which of the following arterial blood gas values would the nurse expect this client to have?

pH 7.49, HCO3 24, PaCO2 30

pH 7.26, HCO3 24, PaCO2 46

pH 7.26, HCO3 14, PaCO2 30

pH 7.49, HCO3 30, PaCO2 40

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

Choice A Reason: This choice is incorrect because it indicates respiratory alkalosis, not AKI. Respiratory alkalosis is a condition in which the lungs eliminate too much carbon dioxide (CO2) from the blood, resulting in a low level of CO2 (PaCO2) and a high level of pH. A normal PaCO2 range is 35 to 45 mm Hg, and a normal pH range is 7.35 to 7.45, so a value of 30 mm Hg and 7.49 indicate respiratory alkalosis.

Choice B Reason: This choice is incorrect because it indicates respiratory acidosis, not AKI. Respiratory acidosis is a condition in which the lungs cannot eliminate enough CO2 from the blood, resulting in a high level of CO2 (PaCO2) and a low level of pH. A value of 46 mm Hg and 7.26 indicate respiratory acidosis.

Choice C Reason: This choice is correct because it indicates metabolic acidosis, which is a common complication of AKI. Metabolic acidosis is a condition in which the body produces too much acid or loses too much base, resulting in a low level of bicarbonate (HCO3) and a low level of pH. A normal HCO3 range is 22 to 26 mEq/L, so a value of 14 mEq/L indicates metabolic acidosis. The low PaCO2 value (30 mm Hg) is due to the respiratory compensation mechanism that tries to restore the acid-base balance by increasing the ventilation and eliminating more CO2.

Choice D Reason: This choice is incorrect because it indicates metabolic alkalosis, not AKI. Metabolic alkalosis is a condition in which the body loses too much acid or gains too much base, resulting in a high level of bicarbonate (HCO3) and a high level of pH. A value of 30 mEq/L and 7.49 indicate metabolic alkalosis.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A Reason: This is correct because an osmotic diuretic, such as mannitol, works by creating an osmotic gradient that draws ﬂuid from the brain tissue into the blood vessels, thereby reducing cerebral edema and intracranial pressure.

Choice B Reason: This is incorrect because an osmotic diuretic would decrease, not increase, the cell size in the brain by removing ﬂuid from the intracellular space.

Choice C Reason: This is incorrect because an osmotic diuretic would decrease, not expand, the extracellular ﬂuid volume by increasing the urine output and excreting excess ﬂuid from the body.

Choice D Reason: This is incorrect because an osmotic diuretic would not provide ﬂuid hydration, but rather cause ﬂuid loss and dehydration.

A. Respiratory acidosis B. Respiratory alkalosis C. Metabolic acidosis D. Metabolic alkalosis

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A Reason: This is correct because respiratory acidosis is characterized by a low pH and a high PaCO2, indicating that the client has impaired ventilation and excess carbon dioxide in the blood.

Choice B Reason: This is incorrect because respiratory alkalosis is characterized by a high pH and a low PaCO2, indicating that the client has increased ventilation and reduced carbon dioxide in the blood.

Choice C Reason: This is incorrect because metabolic acidosis is characterized by a low pH and a low HCO3, indicating that the client has an excess of metabolic acids or a loss of base in the blood.

Choice D Reason: This is incorrect because metabolic alkalosis is characterized by a high pH and a high HCO3, indicating that the client has an excess of base or a loss of metabolic acids in the blood.

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A nurse is caring for a client who has acute kidney injury (AKI). Which of the following arterial blood gas values would the nurse expect this client to have?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is preparing to administer an osmotic diuretic IV to a client with increased intracranial pressure. Which of the following should the nurse identify as the purpose of the medication?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

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