The nurse identifies which client to be at risk for developing metabolic alkalosis? The client who:
has been vomiting for three days.
has had diarrhea for the past 24 hours.
has overdosed on heroin.
is admitted with an asthma exacerbation.
The Correct Answer is A
A. Vomiting results in loss of hydrochloric acid (HCl) from the stomach, leading to a loss of chloride ions (Cl-) and hydrogen ions (H+) from the body. This loss of hydrogen ions can result in an accumulation of bicarbonate ions (HCO3-) relative to hydrogen ions, leading to metabolic alkalosis. Therefore, this client is at risk for developing metabolic alkalosis due to prolonged vomiting.
B. Client who has had diarrhea for the past 24 hours: Diarrhea leads to loss of bicarbonate ions (HCO3-) from the body along with fluid and electrolytes. However, metabolic alkalosis is less likely to occur with diarrhea alone because the loss of bicarbonate ions is usually balanced by the loss of chloride ions (Cl-) and hydrogen ions (H+). Therefore, while diarrhea can lead to metabolic acidosis in some cases, it is less likely to cause metabolic alkalosis.
C. Client who has overdosed on heroin: Heroin overdose is not directly associated with metabolic alkalosis. In the context of heroin overdose, respiratory depression leading to respiratory acidosis is a more immediate concern. Therefore, this client is not at risk for developing metabolic alkalosis due to heroin overdose.
D. Client who is admitted with an asthma exacerbation: Asthma exacerbation can lead to respiratory alkalosis due to hyperventilation and excessive elimination of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the body. However, metabolic alkalosis is not a typical consequence of asthma exacerbation alone. Therefore, while this client may experience respiratory alkalosis, they are not at risk for developing metabolic alkalosis solely due to asthma exacerbation.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
D. Denial is often the initial stage of the grieving process, characterized by disbelief or avoidance of the reality of the situation. Clients may refuse to accept the diagnosis or its implications, clinging to the hope that it is not true. The client's statement of "This cannot be happening to me" is consistent with denial, as they are expressing disbelief or resistance to the reality of their diagnosis.
A. This stage involves feelings of sadness, despair, and hopelessness. While depression is a common response to a terminal diagnosis, the client's statement of "This cannot be happening to me" suggests that they may still be in an earlier stage of grief.
B. Anger is another common stage of the grieving process, characterized by feelings of frustration, resentment, and hostility. Clients may direct their anger towards themselves, others, or even a higher power. While anger can be a prominent reaction to a terminal diagnosis, the client's statement does not explicitly express anger but rather disbelief or resistance.
C. Bargaining is a stage in which individuals may attempt to negotiate or make deals in an effort to change or postpone the inevitable outcome. For example, a client may pray for more time or promise to change their behavior in exchange for a better outcome. The client's statement of "This cannot be happening to me" does not reflect bargaining but rather denial or disbelief.

Correct Answer is B
Explanation
B. This statement aligns with the concept of allostatic load, which refers to the cumulative physiological toll that chronic stress places on the body over time. Initially, the body's stress response system (the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the sympathetic nervous system) is designed to help individuals cope with acute stressors. However, when stress becomes chronic, these physiological responses can become dysregulated and maladaptive, leading to negative health outcomes such as cardiovascular disease, immune dysfunction, and mental health disorders.
A. Chronic stress has been associated with various changes in gene expression and epigenetic modifications. However, these changes typically occur over longer periods and are not the primary mechanism by which chronic stress leads to illness in most cases.
C. Chronic stress can lead to dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the sympathetic nervous system, which are responsible for producing and regulating corticosteroids (such as cortisol) and catecholamines (such as adrenaline and noradrenaline). While acute stress typically results in increased production of these stress hormones, chronic stress can lead to desensitization and dysregulation of these systems, resulting in alterations in hormone levels and potential deficits in the availability of these stress mediators. However, deficits in corticosteroids and catecholamines are not the sole mechanism by which chronic stress leads to illness.
D. While chronic stress can certainly contribute to psychological fatigue and depletion of energy reserves, this is not the primary mechanism by which chronic stress leads to illness. The physiological responses to chronic stress, such as dysregulation of stress hormones, inflammation, and oxidative stress, are more directly linked to the development of various illnesses.
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