A nurse is reviewing the arterial blood gas (ABG) result for a client diagnosed with progressive chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The nurse should expect which of the following ABG findings for a client diagnosed with progressive COPD?
pH 7.55, PaCO2 30 mm Hg, PaO2 80 mm Hg, HCO3 24 mEq/L
pH 7.30, PaCO2 60 mm Hg, PaO2 70 mm Hg, HCO3 30 mEq/L
pH 7.40, PaCO2 40 mm Hg, PaO2 94 mm Hg, HCO3 22 mEq/L
pH 7.38, PaCO2 45 mm Hg, PaO2 88 mm Hg, HCO3 26 mEq/L
The Correct Answer is B
A. pH 7.55, PaCO2 30 mm Hg, PaO2 80 mm Hg, HCO3 24 mEq/L: This ABG finding indicates respiratory alkalosis, as evidenced by the elevated pH and decreased PaCO2. In progressive COPD, clients typically retain carbon dioxide rather than blow it off, so this finding would not be expected in a patient with chronic respiratory issues.
B. pH 7.30, PaCO2 60 mm Hg, PaO2 70 mm Hg, HCO3 30 mEq/L: This is the most consistent finding for a client with progressive COPD. The low pH indicates acidosis, and the elevated PaCO2 suggests respiratory acidosis due to carbon dioxide retention, a common problem in COPD. The elevated HCO3 indicates a compensatory metabolic response, as the body attempts to retain bicarbonate to buffer the acidosis.
C. pH 7.40, PaCO2 40 mm Hg, PaO2 94 mm Hg, HCO3 22 mEq/L: These values indicate a normal ABG, which would not be expected in a client with progressive COPD. Patients with chronic lung disease typically present with acid-base imbalances due to respiratory failure, so this finding suggests the client is not exhibiting the expected complications of COPD.
D. pH 7.38, PaCO2 45 mm Hg, PaO2 88 mm Hg, HCO3 26 mEq/L: Although these findings show mild acidosis, the PaCO2 is within normal limits, indicating that this patient may not be experiencing significant respiratory failure. In advanced COPD, one would expect to see a higher PaCO2 and more pronounced acidosis, making this option less characteristic of a patient with progressive COPD compared to option B.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["A","B","C"]
Explanation
A. Wear a mask when caring for the client: This is an important action to prevent the spread of influenza, which is transmitted via respiratory droplets. Wearing a mask helps protect both the healthcare provider and other patients from potential exposure to the virus, especially in the early stages of the disease when the client is most contagious.
B. Place the client in a private room: This action is recommended to minimize the risk of transmitting the influenza virus to other patients. Isolating the client in a private room can help control the spread of infection, making it a necessary measure in this situation.
C. Encourage the client to increase fluid intake: Adequate hydration is essential for clients with influenza to help alleviate fever and maintain overall health. Increasing fluid intake supports the immune system and helps prevent complications such as dehydration, so encouraging the client to drink more fluids is appropriate.
D. Place the client on contact precautions: While contact precautions are essential for preventing the spread of infections transmitted by direct contact, they are not specifically necessary for influenza, which is primarily airborne and droplet transmitted. Standard precautions, including droplet precautions, are sufficient for managing a client with influenza.
E. Prepare to administer an antibiotic to the client: This action is not appropriate because influenza is a viral infection, and antibiotics are ineffective against viruses. Treatment for influenza typically involves antiviral medications if indicated, supportive care, and symptom management rather than antibiotics. Therefore, this option should not be included in the actions the nurse takes.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Develop a quality improvement program for nurses involved in medication administration errors. While quality improvement programs are essential, implementing a targeted program without first analyzing the root causes of errors may not effectively address the underlying issues. A broader review of system-wide factors contributing to medication errors is necessary before designing an intervention.
B. Require staff nurses to demonstrate competency by passing a medication administration examination. Competency assessments may help identify knowledge gaps, but they do not address system-based errors such as workload issues, unclear protocols, or distractions during medication administration. A root cause analysis should be conducted first to ensure that interventions target the actual sources of errors.
C. Provide an inservice on medication administration to all the nurses. Educational sessions can reinforce safe practices, but without identifying the specific factors contributing to errors, they may not be effective. Training should be tailored to address the findings from an initial review of the medication errors.
D. Review the events leading up to each medication administration error. The first step in continuous quality improvement is conducting a thorough analysis of the errors, identifying patterns, and determining root causes. This helps in designing targeted interventions, whether they involve process changes, additional training, or improved safety protocols.
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