A nurse is caring for a client who has respiratory failure due to ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) mismatch. The nurse should recognize that the client most likely has which of the following conditions?
Flail chest
Emphysema
Congestive heart failure
Guillain-Barré syndrome
None
None
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A Reason:
Flail chest is incorrect. Flail chest is a condition characterized by multiple rib fractures, causing instability in the chest wall. While it can lead to respiratory distress, it doesn't directly cause ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) mismatch. Instead, it impairs the mechanics of breathing by compromising chest wall integrity.
Choice B Reason:
Emphysema is a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) where the alveolar walls are destroyed, leading to a loss of surface area for gas exchange. This results in areas of the lungs that are well-perfused but poorly ventilated, causing a V/Q mismatch. The damage to alveoli leads to impaired ventilation, while blood flow may still be adequate, leading to hypoxemia (low oxygen levels in the blood).
Choice C Reason:
CHF primarily affects the heart’s ability to pump blood effectively, leading to pulmonary congestion and impaired gas exchange. However, it typically causes diffusion defects rather than a direct ventilation-perfusion mismatch. V/Q mismatch may occur secondary to pulmonary edema, but it’s not the primary mechanism of respiratory failure in CHF.
Choice D Reason:
Guillain-Barré syndrome is incorrect. Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a neurological disorder that affects the peripheral nervous system, leading to muscle weakness and paralysis. While respiratory muscle weakness can occur in GBS, it doesn't directly cause ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) mismatch. GBS primarily affects nerve function rather than lung function.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["A","D","E"]
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
The client admitted with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is correct. Diabetes is a common cause of peripheral neuropathy, particularly if poorly controlled. Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a severe complication of diabetes characterized by high blood sugar levels and ketone accumulation. Prolonged uncontrolled diabetes can lead to nerve damage and peripheral neuropathy.
Choice B Reason:
The client admitted with sleep apnea is incorrect. Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by pauses in breathing or shallow breathing during sleep. While sleep apnea itself is not typically associated with peripheral neuropathy, underlying conditions such as obesity or diabetes, which are risk factors for sleep apnea, can also increase the risk of peripheral neuropathy.
Choice C Reason:
The client admitted with a hypertensive crisis is incorrect. Hypertension (high blood pressure) is not directly associated with peripheral neuropathy. However, poorly controlled hypertension can lead to vascular complications and contribute to conditions such as atherosclerosis, which may indirectly increase the risk of peripheral neuropathy.
Choice D Reason:
The client admitted for an exacerbation of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is correct. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease that can affect various organs and tissues, including the peripheral nerves. Peripheral neuropathy can occur as a complication of SLE, particularly in cases of active disease or as a result of certain medications used to treat SLE.
Choice E Reason:
The client admitted with untreated tuberculosis is incorrect. Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. While TB itself is not typically associated with peripheral neuropathy, certain medications used to treat TB, such as isoniazid, can cause peripheral neuropathy as a side effect.
Choice F Reason:
The client admitted with cirrhosis secondary to chronic alcohol use is correct. Chronic alcohol use and cirrhosis can lead to various neurological complications, including peripheral neuropathy. Alcohol-related peripheral neuropathy often presents with sensory symptoms such as tingling, numbness, and pain in the extremities.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
A client with a decreased potassium level is incorrect. Hypokalemia (decreased potassium level) can cause various neurological symptoms, but it doesn't directly lead to osmotic cerebral edema.
Choice B Reason:
When plasma glucose levels are rapidly lowered, an osmotic gradient develops between the brain and plasma, which can lead to cerebral edema.Brain cells pull water from the plasma, resulting in widespread edema.
Choice C Reason:
While HbA1c is an important marker of diabetes control and may indicate poor long-term management, it does not directly relate to the acute metabolic derangements (e.g., rapid osmotic shifts, severity of acidosis) that predispose to cerebral edema in DKA.
Choice D Reason:
A client with an increased creatinine level is incorrect. Elevated creatinine levels typically indicate kidney dysfunction or dehydration, but they don't directly cause osmotic cerebral edema.
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