A patient with a longstanding diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder presents to the emergency room. The triage nurse notes upon an assessment that the patient is hyperventilating. The triage nurse is aware that hyperventilation is the MOST common cause of which acid-base imbalance?

Respiratory Acidosis

Metabolic Alkalosis

Metabolic Acidosis

Respiratory Alkalosis

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

A. Respiratory Acidosis:
Explanation: Respiratory acidosis occurs when there is inadequate elimination of carbon dioxide, leading to an increase in PaCO2 and a decrease in blood pH. This is typically associated with conditions that impair ventilation.

B. Metabolic Alkalosis:
Explanation: Metabolic alkalosis is characterized by an elevated blood pH and bicarbonate (HCO3-) concentration. It is not directly caused by hyperventilation but is often associated with conditions such as excessive vomiting or excessive bicarbonate intake.

C. Metabolic Acidosis:
Explanation: Metabolic acidosis is characterized by a decrease in blood pH and bicarbonate concentration. It is not directly caused by hyperventilation but may result from conditions such as diabetic ketoacidosis or lactic acidosis.

D. Respiratory Alkalosis:
Explanation: Hyperventilation is the most common cause of respiratory alkalosis. During hyperventilation, there is an excessive loss of carbon dioxide (CO2) through rapid breathing, leading to a decrease in the partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2) in the blood. This results in an increase in blood pH, causing an alkalotic state.

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Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A. Management of diabetic ketoacidosis:
Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a severe complication of diabetes characterized by high blood sugar, ketones in the urine, and metabolic acidosis. While it's crucial to understand how to manage DKA, this may be considered more advanced knowledge and may not be categorized as a basic survival skill for someone newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.

B. Signs and symptoms of diabetic neuropathy:
Diabetic neuropathy is a long-term complication that involves damage to the nerves due to prolonged high blood sugar levels. While understanding neuropathy is important for long-term health, it may not be the first topic addressed as a basic survival skill for someone newly diagnosed.

C. Effects of surgery and pregnancy on blood sugar levels:
Understanding how surgery and pregnancy can affect blood sugar levels is important for managing diabetes in specific situations. However, this knowledge might be considered more advanced and may not be the initial focus for someone just starting to learn about diabetes self-care.

D. Recognition of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia:
Recognizing the signs and symptoms of both low and high blood sugar is essential for immediate self-care. This includes understanding when blood sugar is too low (hypoglycemia) and requires prompt treatment, as well as recognizing the symptoms of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) and knowing how to address them. This knowledge is fundamental for the daily management and well-being of someone with diabetes.

A. Aspirin toxicity B. Fever C. Anxiety attack D. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A. Aspirin Toxicity:
Effect on Blood Gases: Aspirin toxicity can cause respiratory alkalosis due to increased respiratory rate (hyperventilation), leading to a decreased PaCO2 and increased pH.
Relation to Given Blood Gases: It could potentially cause the observed blood gas values (low PaCO2 and high pH), making it a possible cause.

B. Fever:
Effect on Blood Gases: Fever might cause hyperventilation, resulting in respiratory alkalosis with decreased PaCO2 and increased pH.
Relation to Given Blood Gases: It could potentially cause the observed blood gas values.

C. Anxiety Attack:
Effect on Blood Gases: Anxiety attacks can lead to hyperventilation and subsequent respiratory alkalosis with low PaCO2 and high pH.
Relation to Given Blood Gases: It could potentially cause the observed blood gas values.

D. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD):
Effect on Blood Gases: COPD typically causes respiratory acidosis due to impaired gas exchange, resulting in elevated PaCO2 and decreased pH.
Relation to Given Blood Gases: COPD wouldn't typically cause the observed blood gas values of low PaCO2 and high pH.

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A patient with a longstanding diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder presents to the emergency room. The triage nurse notes upon an assessment that the patient is hyperventilating. The triage nurse is aware that hyperventilation is the MOST common cause of which acid-base imbalance?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is teaching basic "survival skills" to a client newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Which topic will the nurse address address?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A patient has the following blood gases: PaCO2 33, pH 7.50, HCO3 23. Which of the following could NOT be the cause of this condition?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

The nurse is caring for a patient diagnosed with hypothyroidism. When assessing this patient, what sign or symptom would the nurse expect?

A nurse is assessing a client who has diabetes for the presence of peripheral neuropathy. The nurse should question the client about what sign or symptom that would suggest the possible development of peripheral neuropathy?

The nurse instructs the client about the self-administration of insulin. Which statement or statements by the patient indicate a need for further teaching? (SELECT ALL THAT APPLY)

The nurse reviews the blood gas results of a client with atelectasis. The nurse analyzes the results and determines that the client is experiencing respiratory acidosis. Which results validate the nurse's findings?

A client comes into the clinic complaining of fatigue. Blood work shows an increased bilirubin concentration and an increased reticulocyte count. What would the nurse suspect the patient has?

A nurse is performing a physical examination on an adolescent male suspected of having an endocrine disorder. Which of the following assessment findings might be indicative of a problem with the thyroid gland?

A diabetes educator is teaching a patient about type 2 diabetes. The educator recognizes that the patient understands the primary treatment for type 2 diabetes when the patient states what?