George Torres is admitted with a head injury. He is comatose and is breathing rapidly. His blood gases show a pH of 7.47, PaCO2 of 32 mm Hg, and HCO3- of 26 mEq/L. Compare these gases to normal values. What type of imbalance does this patient have, and is it being compensated or uncompensated?

Metabolic alkalosis, uncompensated

Respiratory acidosis, uncompensated

Respiratory alkalosis, uncompensated

Metabolic acidosis, uncompensated

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

Choice A reason: Metabolic alkalosis is a condition where the pH and the HCO3- are both elevated, indicating a loss of acids or a gain of bases in the body. This is not the case for this patient, as his HCO3- is within the normal range of 22 to 26 mEq/L.

Choice B reason: Respiratory acidosis is a condition where the pH and the PaCO2 are both low, indicating a retention of carbon dioxide in the lungs due to hypoventilation. This is not the case for this patient, as his pH is high and his PaCO2 is low.

Choice C reason: Respiratory alkalosis is a condition where the pH and the PaCO2 are both high, indicating a loss of carbon dioxide in the lungs due to hyperventilation. This is the case for this patient, as his pH is above the normal range of 7.35 to 7.45 and his PaCO2 is below the normal range of 35 to 45 mm Hg. This condition is uncompensated, as his HCO3- is within the normal range and has not changed to counteract the pH imbalance.

Choice D reason: Metabolic acidosis is a condition where the pH and the HCO3- are both low, indicating a gain of acids or a loss of bases in the body. This is not the case for this patient, as his pH is high and his HCO3- is within the normal range.

Nursing Test Bank

Test Bank #1: RN Pharmacology Exams Test Bank #2: RN Medical-Surgical Exams Test Bank #3: RN Fundamentals Exams Test Bank #4: RN Maternal-Newborn Exams Test Bank #5: RN Anatomy and Physiology Exams Test Bank #6: RN Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Test Bank #7: RN Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Test Bank #9: RN Adult Health Test Bank #10: RN Dosage Calculation Test Bank #11: RN Community Health Exams Test Bank #12: RN Psychology Exams Test Bank #13: RN Nursing Care Of Children Test Bank #14: RN Foundations of Nursing Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Exam #1: RN Comprehensive predictor 2023 proctored exam Exam #2: Ati rn vati comprehensive predictor proctored exam Exam #3: Ati Rn Comprehensive Predictor Proctored Exam 2023 Exam #4: Rn Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Proctored Exam - St. Joseph Exam #5: RN Comprehensive Predictor Proctored Exam (National U CA San Diego) Exam #6: Ati rn comprehensive predictor 2023 retake proctored exam Exam #7: RN Hesi Exit Proctored Exam Exam #8: Hesi RN Exit proctored exam Exam #9: Hesi rn exit proctored exam Exam #10: Hesi Rn compass exit B proctored exam

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A reason: This is correct because respiratory acidosis is a condition where the blood pH is lower than the normal range of 7.35 to 7.45, due to impaired gas exchange or hypoventilation, which causes carbon dioxide to accumulate in the blood. COPD is a chronic lung disease that obstructs the airways and reduces the oxygen intake and carbon dioxide output. This leads to respiratory acidosis in the patient.

Choice B reason: This is incorrect because respiratory alkalosis is a condition where the blood pH is higher than the normal range of 7.35 to 7.45, due to hyperventilation, which lowers the carbon dioxide in the blood. COPD does not cause hyperventilation, but rather hypoventilation.

Choice C reason: This is incorrect because metabolic alkalosis is a condition where the blood pH is higher than the normal range of 7.35 to 7.45, due to a loss of acids or an excess of bases in the body. COPD does not affect the metabolic system directly, but rather the respiratory system.

Choice D reason: This is incorrect because metabolic acidosis is a condition where the blood pH is lower than the normal range of 7.35 to 7.45, due to an excess of acids or a loss of bases in the body. COPD does not affect the metabolic system directly, but rather the respiratory system.

A. Narrow, peaked T waves B. ST elevation C. Peaked P waves D. Prominent U waves

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A reason: Narrow, peaked T waves are a sign of hyperkalemia, which is a high level of potassium in the blood. Potassium is an electrolyte that affects the electrical activity of the heart. Hyperkalemia can cause the T waves, which represent the repolarization of the ventricles, to become narrow and peaked, indicating a rapid and excessive repolarization.

Choice B reason: ST elevation is a sign of myocardial infarction, which is a heart attack. It indicates that the myocardium, or the heart muscle, is damaged and deprived of oxygen. ST elevation is not related to the potassium level, but rather to the coronary artery blood flow.

Choice C reason: Peaked P waves are a sign of atrial hypertrophy, which is an enlargement of the atria, the upper chambers of the heart. It indicates that the atria are under increased pressure or workload. Peaked P waves are not related to the potassium level, but rather to the atrial function.

Choice D reason: Prominent U waves are a sign of hypokalemia, which is a low level of potassium in the blood. Potassium is an electrolyte that affects the electrical activity of the heart. Hypokalemia can cause the U waves, which represent the repolarization of the Purkinje fibers, to become prominent and visible, indicating a delayed and prolonged repolarization.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

George Torres is admitted with a head injury. He is comatose and is breathing rapidly. His blood gases show a pH of 7.47, PaCO2 of 32 mm Hg, and HCO3- of 26 mEq/L. Compare these gases to normal values. What type of imbalance does this patient have, and is it being compensated or uncompensated?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A patient has end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Which acid-base imbalance would be predictable in a patient with COPD?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

The nurse reviews a client's electrolyte results and notes that the potassium level is 5.4 mEq/L. What would the nurse look for on the cardiac monitor as a result of this laboratory value?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

An anxious adult patient is experiencing a respiratory rate of 40 breaths/min. The most appropriate intervention that the nurse could do is to instruct the patient to:

Which transport mechanism involves cellular energy?

The nurse is reviewing the health records of assigned clients. The nurse would plan care knowing that which client is at risk for fluid volume deficit?

A nurse is collecting data from a patient who has dehydration. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

The nurse is caring for a client with a nasogastric tube that is attached to low suction. The nurse monitors the client closely for which acid-base disorder that is most likely to occur in this situation?

The kidneys respond to acid-base disturbances by:

An isotonic solution contains equal solute concentration on both sides.

The nurse is caring for a client with severe diarrhea. The nurse monitors the client closely, understanding that this client is at risk for developing which acid-base disorder?