A nurse is collecting data from a patient who has alcohol use disorder and is experiencing metabolic acidosis. Which of the following manifestations should the nurse expect?
Hyperventilation
Cold, clammy skin
Increased blood pressure
Bradycardia
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A reason: Hyperventilation is a compensatory mechanism in metabolic acidosis where the body tries to decrease carbon dioxide levels to balance the acidity.
Choice B reason: Cold, clammy skin is not a typical manifestation of metabolic acidosis; it may be associated with shock or hypoglycemia.
Choice C reason: Increased blood pressure is not directly related to metabolic acidosis. It can be influenced by various factors, including stress or other underlying conditions.
Choice D reason: Bradycardia, or a slow heart rate, is not a common manifestation of metabolic acidosis. Tachycardia, or a fast heart rate, might be observed instead.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: A pH of 7.39 is near the lower end of the normal range (7.35-7.45) and would not typically indicate respiratory acidosis.
Choice B reason: A pH of 7.31 is below the normal range, indicating an acidic environment, which is consistent with respiratory acidosis.
Choice C reason: A pH of 7.48 is above the normal range, indicating a more alkaline environment, which would suggest respiratory alkalosis, not acidosis.
Choice D reason: A pH of 7.50 is also above the normal range and would indicate alkalosis rather than acidosis.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: Metabolic acidosis is characterized by a low pH and a normal or low HCO3. In this case, the pH is 7.25, which is below the normal range of 7.35-7.45, and the HCO3 is 22, which is at the lower end of the normal range of 22-26 mEq/L, indicating metabolic acidosis.
Choice B reason: Respiratory acidosis is characterized by a high CO2 level. However, in this scenario, the CO2 is 40, which is within the normal range of 35-45 mmHg, ruling out respiratory acidosis.
Choice C reason: Metabolic alkalosis would present with a high pH and a high HCO3 level. Since the pH is low, metabolic alkalosis is not the correct answer.
Choice D reason: Respiratory alkalosis is characterized by a low CO2 level and a high pH. Given that the CO2 is normal and the pH is low, respiratory alkalosis is not the condition indicated by these ABG results.
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