Patient MK is admited with Atrial Fibrillation an irregular heart rhythm. She is also complaining of muscle cramps to her legs and that she started a new diuretic last week. What lab value are you most likely to find on her Complete Metabolic Panel?
Mg2 – 20 mEq/L
Na+ - 123 mEq/L
Ca2 – 10.0 mg/dl
K+ - - 3.1 mEq/L
The Correct Answer is D
Atrial fibrillation is a common arrhythmia, and diuretics are often used in the management of patients with this condition to help control fluid balance. However, diuretics can cause electrolyte imbalances, especially hypokalaemia (low potassium levels), which can lead to muscle cramps and other complications.
A Complete Metabolic Panel (CMP) is a blood test that measures various electrolytes, glucose, and other important components. Among the options given, the most likely lab value to be abnormal in Patient MK's case is a low level of potassium (K+), which is consistent with her symptoms and diuretic use. Option d, K+ -
-
- mEq/L, is the correct option as it represents a low level of potassium, which is defined as a value less than 3.5 mEq/L.
Option a, Mg2 – 20 mEq/L, represents high magnesium levels, which are not typically associated with diuretic use or muscle cramps. Option b, Na+ - 123 mEq/L, represents low sodium levels, which are less likely to occur with diuretic use, and are typically associated with other conditions. Option c, Ca2 – 10.0 mg/dl, represents normal calcium levels and is not typically affected by diuretic use.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Before pumping the medication into the chamber, you should educate the patient to exhale. This means that the patient should breathe out fully before using the inhaler. This helps to empty the lungs of air and create more space for the medication to be inhaled.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Respiratory acidosis.
COPD is a chronic lung disease that can lead to an accumulation of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the body. This can cause respiratory acidosis, a condition in which the blood pH is lower than normal due to an excess of CO2.
In respiratory acidosis, the partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2) in the blood is increased and the pH is decreased. The kidneys atempt to compensate for the acidosis by excreting more acid in the urine and retaining more bicarbonate, but this compensation is usually not enough to fully correct the problem.
Metabolic alkalosis (option B) is a condition in which the blood pH is higher than normal due to an excess of bicarbonate in the blood. This is usually caused by loss of acid from the body, such as through vomiting or use of diuretics.
Respiratory alkalosis (option C) is a condition in which the blood pH is higher than normal due to a decrease in PaCO2. This can be caused by hyperventilation, which leads to excessive elimination of CO2 from the lungs.
Metabolic acidosis (option D) is a condition in which the blood pH is lower than normal due to an excess of acid in the blood. This can be caused by a variety of factors, including kidney failure or lactic acidosis.
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