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?

Respiratory alkalosis

Metabolic alkalosis

Metabolic acidosis

Respiratory acidosis

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

Choice A 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. Severe diarrhea does not cause hyperventilation, but rather dehydration and electrolyte imbalance.

Choice B 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. Severe diarrhea does not cause a loss of acids or an excess of bases, but rather a loss of fluids and bicarbonate, which is a base that buffers the acids in the blood.

Choice C reason: This is correct 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. Severe diarrhea causes a loss of fluids and bicarbonate, which is a base that buffers the acids in the blood. This leads to an accumulation of acids and a decrease in pH.

Choice D reason: This is incorrect 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. Severe diarrhea does not affect the respiratory system directly, but rather the metabolic system.

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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-.

A. pH 7.50, PCO2 30 mmHg B. pH 7.45, PCO2 52 mmHg C. pH 7.25, PCO2 50 mmHg D. pH 7.35, PCO2 40 mmHg

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A reason: This is incorrect because this represents respiratory alkalosis, not acidosis. Respiratory alkalosis is characterized by a high pH and a low PCO2.

Choice B reason: This is incorrect because this represents a mixed disorder, not a pure respiratory acidosis. A mixed disorder occurs when both the pH and the PCO2 are abnormal, but in opposite directions.

Choice C reason: This is correct because this represents respiratory acidosis. Respiratory acidosis is characterized by a low pH and a high PCO2.

Choice D reason: This is incorrect because this represents normal values, not respiratory acidosis. Normal values for pH and PCO2 are 7.35 to 7.45 and 35 to 45 mmHg, respectively.

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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?

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

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Explanation

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