A nurse is caring for a client who has hypokalemia. Which of the following findings should the nurse associate with hypokalemia?

Hyperventilation

Bradypnea

Syncope

U waves on electrocardiogram

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

A. Hyperventilation: Hyperventilation is more commonly associated with respiratory alkalosis or anxiety rather than hypokalemia. Hypokalemia does not typically cause hyperventilation.

B. Bradypnea: Bradypnea (slow breathing) is not a common finding in hypokalemia. Hypokalemia can affect muscle function, including respiratory muscles, but bradypnea is not a characteristic sign.

C. Syncope: While syncope (fainting) can occur due to various conditions, it is not a specific or common finding directly associated with hypokalemia. Hypokalemia mainly affects the heart and muscles.

D. U waves on electrocardiogram: U waves are a classic electrocardiogram (ECG) finding associated with hypokalemia. These waves appear after the T wave and are indicative of the electrolyte imbalance affecting cardiac repolarization.

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A. Respiratory acidosis occurs due to hypoventilation, resulting in carbon dioxide retention. This condition is characterized by slow, shallow breathing and confusion, which is not consistent with the client's rapid respiratory rate of 30/min.
B. Respiratory alkalosis is typically caused by hyperventilation, where excessive breathing leads to a decrease in carbon dioxide levels. The client's symptoms of high anxiety and rapid, shallow respirations are indicative of hyperventilation, making respiratory alkalosis the most likely diagnosis.
C. Metabolic acidosis is characterized by deep, rapid breathing (Kussmaul respirations) as the body attempts to expel excess acid. The client's shallow respirations are inconsistent with the breathing pattern seen in metabolic acidosis.
D. Metabolic alkalosis usually presents with symptoms such as dizziness and tingling, often with compensatory slow respirations. The rapid respiratory rate in this case does not suggest metabolic alkalosis, making this option unlikely.

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. ARDS is characterized by severe hypoxemia due to shunting, but it typically impairs oxygenation rather than carbon dioxide elimination. The primary issue is the inability to oxygenate blood, not the elimination of carbon dioxide.
B. In ARDS, pulmonary arterial pressure often increases due to pulmonary hypertension caused by widespread inflammation and hypoxemia, not decreased pressure. V/Q mismatch contributes to hypoxemia but does not directly cause decreased pulmonary arterial pressure.
C. While hypoxemia is a hallmark of ARDS, it is primarily due to shunting (where blood passes through unventilated areas of the lung) rather than dead space, which is more associated with conditions like pulmonary embolism.
D. ARDS involves decreased pulmonary compliance due to the stiffness of the lungs, which results from diffuse alveolar damage and the formation of hyaline membranes. This stiffness makes it difficult for the lungs to expand, leading to reduced oxygenation and severe hypoxemia.

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A nurse is caring for a client who has hypokalemia. Which of the following findings should the nurse associate with hypokalemia?

Nursing Test Bank

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