A patient is admited with hypernatremia caused by being stranded on a boat in the Atlantic Ocean for two days without water. What is the patient at risk for developing?
Cerebral bleeding
Pulmonary edema
Cardiac arrhythmias
Seizures
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A: Cerebral bleeding is incorrect because it is not a common complication of hypernatremia, which is a high sodium level in the blood. Cerebral bleeding can be caused by conditions such as head trauma, stroke, or aneurysm.
Choice B: Pulmonary edema is incorrect because it is a condition where fluid accumulates in the lungs, causing shortness of breath, coughing, and wheezing. Pulmonary edema can be caused by conditions such as heart failure, kidney failure, or lung injury.
Choice C: Cardiac arrhythmias is correct because it is a condition where the heart beats irregularly, too fast, or too slow. Cardiac arrhythmias can be caused by hypernatremia, which can affect the electrical activity and contractility of the heart muscle. Hypernatremia can also cause dehydration, hypovolemia, and hypotension, which can impair the blood flow and oxygen delivery to the heart.
Choice D: Seizures is incorrect because it is a condition where abnormal electrical activity in the brain causes convulsions, loss of consciousness, or altered behavior. Seizures can be caused by conditions such as epilepsy, brain tumor, or infection.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A: Metabolic acidosis is incorrect because it is characterized by a low pH and a low HCO3, not a high PaCO2. Metabolic acidosis occurs when there is an excess of metabolic acids in the body, such as lactic acid, ketoacids, or salicylates.
Choice B: Respiratory alkalosis is incorrect because it is characterized by a high pH and a low PaCO2, not a low pH and a high PaCO2. Respiratory alkalosis occurs when there is excessive loss of carbon dioxide through hyperventilation, such as in anxiety, fever, or aspirin overdose.
Choice C: Respiratory acidosis is correct because it is characterized by a low pH and a high PaCO2. Respiratory acidosis occurs when there is impaired gas exchange or hypoventilation, resulting in accumulation of carbon dioxide in the blood. This can be caused by conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pneumonia, asthma, or chest trauma.
Choice D: Metabolic alkalosis is incorrect because it is characterized by a high pH and a high HCO3, not a low pH and a high PaCO2. Metabolic alkalosis occurs when there is a loss of metabolic acids or an excess of bicarbonate in the body, such as from vomiting, gastric suctioning, or diuretic therapy.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A: A client who is taking a thiazide diuretic is not at risk for metabolic acidosis, but rather for metabolic alkalosis. This is a condition that occurs when the body has too much bicarbonate or loses too much acid. This can happen in patients who take thiazide diuretics, which increase the excretion of sodium, chloride, and water, but also cause the retention of bicarbonate.
Choice B: A client who has diarrhea is at risk for metabolic acidosis, because this condition occurs when the body produces too much acid or loses too much bicarbonate. This can happen in patients who have diarrhea, which causes the loss of intestinal fluids that contain bicarbonate and other bases.
Choice C: A client who is vomiting is not at risk for metabolic acidosis, but rather for metabolic alkalosis. This is a condition that occurs when the body has too much bicarbonate or loses too much acid. This can happen in patients who have vomiting, which causes the loss of gastric fluids that contain hydrochloric acid and other acids.
Choice D: A client who has salicylate intoxication is at risk for metabolic acidosis, because this condition occurs when the body produces too much acid or loses too much bicarbonate. This can happen in patients who have salicylate intoxication, which is a toxic reaction to aspirin or other salicylates. Salicylates increase the production of organic acids and interfere with the renal excretion of acids.
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