Hyponatremia may be caused by:
Stroke
Dehydration
Increased secretion of aldosterone
Congestive heart failure (CHF)
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A reason: Stroke is not a cause of hyponatremia, but rather a possible complication of it. Hyponatremia is a condition where the sodium level in the blood is too low, which can affect the brain function and cause symptoms such as confusion, seizures, or coma. Stroke is a condition where the blood supply to a part of the brain is interrupted, which can cause brain damage and neurological deficits.
Choice B reason: Dehydration is not a cause of hyponatremia, but rather a cause of hypernatremia. Dehydration is a condition where the body loses more fluids than it takes in, which can affect the blood volume and the electrolyte balance. Dehydration can cause hypernatremia, which is a condition where the sodium level in the blood is too high, which can also affect the brain function and cause symptoms such as thirst, dry mouth, or lethargy.
Choice C reason: Increased secretion of aldosterone is not a cause of hyponatremia, but rather a cause of hypokalemia. Aldosterone is a hormone that regulates the sodium and potassium levels in the body by increasing the reabsorption of sodium and the excretion of potassium in the kidneys. Increased secretion of aldosterone can cause hypokalemia, which is a condition where the potassium level in the blood is too low, which can affect the muscle and nerve function and cause symptoms such as weakness, cramps, or arrhythmias.
Choice D reason: Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a cause of hyponatremia, as it is a condition where the heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet the body's needs. This can lead to fluid retention and edema, which can dilute the sodium level in the blood and cause hyponatremia. CHF can also stimulate the release of antidiuretic hormone (ADH), which increases the reabsorption of water in the kidneys and further lowers the sodium level in the blood.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: Producing phosphate buffers is not the main function of the kidneys in response to acid-base disturbances. Phosphate buffers are mainly found in the intracellular fluid and the urine, where they help to maintain the pH by binding or releasing hydrogen ions.
Choice B reason: Adjusting PaCO2 levels is not the function of the kidneys, but rather the function of the lungs in response to acid-base disturbances. The lungs regulate the PaCO2 levels by increasing or decreasing the rate and depth of respiration, which affects the amount of carbon dioxide exhaled.
Choice C reason: Producing protein buffers is not the function of the kidneys, but rather the function of the cells and the plasma in response to acid-base disturbances. Protein buffers are the most abundant and versatile buffers in the body, as they can act as acids or bases by donating or accepting hydrogen ions.
Choice D reason: Excreting or reabsorbing hydrogen or bicarbonate is the main function of the kidneys in response to acid-base disturbances. The kidneys regulate the HCO3- levels by either reabsorbing it from the filtrate or generating it from carbon dioxide and water. The kidneys also regulate the hydrogen ion levels by either excreting it into the urine or exchanging it for sodium ions.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: This is incorrect because low HCO3- and high PaCO2 are signs of metabolic acidosis, not alkalosis. 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.
Choice B reason: This is incorrect because low PaCO2 and low HCO3- are signs of respiratory acidosis, not alkalosis. 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.
Choice C reason: This is correct because low PaCO2 and high HCO3- are signs of alkalosis. 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. There are two types of alkalosis: respiratory and metabolic. Respiratory alkalosis is caused by hyperventilation, which lowers the PaCO2 in the blood. Metabolic alkalosis is caused by vomiting, diuretics, or excessive intake of antacids, which raises the HCO3- in the blood.
Choice D reason: This is incorrect because high PaCO2 and high HCO3- are signs of compensation, not alkalosis. Compensation is a process where the body tries to restore the normal pH by adjusting the levels of PaCO2 and HCO3- in the opposite direction of the primary disorder. For example, if the patient has metabolic alkalosis, the respiratory system will try to compensate by retaining carbon dioxide and lowering the PaCO2. If the patient has respiratory alkalosis, the renal system will try to compensate by excreting bicarbonate and lowering the HCO3-.
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