An adolescent arrives at the emergency department (ED) with a fever and persistent lower right quadrant abdominal pain.
The patient is anxious, fearful, and hyperventilating.
What acid-base imbalance does the nurse anticipate the patient will develop?
Respiratory alkalosis.
Respiratory acidosis.
Metabolic alkalosis.
Metabolic acidosis.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A rationale
Hyperventilation leads to a decrease in the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the blood. This causes the pH of the blood to increase, resulting in respiratory alkalosis.
Choice B rationale
Respiratory acidosis is caused by a buildup of CO2 in the blood, typically due to hypoventilation (under-breathing). This is not consistent with the patient’s symptoms of hyperventilation.
Choice C rationale
Metabolic alkalosis is typically caused by a significant loss of acid from the body, such as from prolonged vomiting. This is not consistent with the patient’s symptoms.
Choice D rationale
Metabolic acidosis is typically caused by an increase in acid production within the body or a loss of bicarbonate from the body, such as in diabetic ketoacidosis or kidney disease. This is not consistent with the patient’s symptoms.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale
While it is essential to assess how the client copes with auditory hallucinations, asking this question alone does not provide specific information about the content of the hallucinations.
Choice B rationale
The timing of the voices can provide some insight into the triggers or patterns of the hallucinations, but it does not directly address the content or potential impact of the hallucinations on the client’s behavior or mental state.
Choice C rationale
While medication efficacy is an important aspect of managing schizophrenia, it does not directly address the current experience of the client’s hallucinations.
Choice D rationale
Understanding what the voices are saying to the client can provide critical information about potential risks, including self-harm or harm to others, and can guide the treatment plan. This is why it is the most important question for the nurse to include in the client’s assessment.
Correct Answer is ["A","B"]
Explanation
Choice A rationale
A chest x-ray is a critical diagnostic tool for a patient presenting with flu-like symptoms, fever, chest congestion, and increased breathing difficulties. It can help identify conditions such as pneumonia or other lung diseases, which could be causing the patient’s symptoms.
Choice B rationale
While hydration is important, running a 0.9% sodium chloride IV infusion at 150 mL/hour is not the most immediate need for this patient. The patient’s symptoms are primarily respiratory, and there is no indication of dehydration.
Choice C rationale
A sputum culture could be useful for diagnosing bacterial infections of the respiratory tract. However, it is not the most immediate need for this patient, as the results of a culture test can take time to come back.
Choice D rationale
This is the correct answer. Given the patient’s increased breathing difficulties, starting oxygen therapy can help improve the patient’s oxygen levels and ease their breathing.
Choice E rationale
Starting a peripheral IV might be necessary for administering medications or fluids, but it is not the most immediate need in this scenario.
Choice F rationale
While controlling the patient’s fever is important, it is not as immediate a need as performing a chest x-ray and starting oxygen therapy.
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