The nurse obtains the following arterial blood gas results on a client: pH 7.2, PaO2 88 mmHg, PaCO2 40 mmHg, HCO3 19 mEq/L. Which acid-base imbalance is the client experiencing?
Respiratory alkalosis
Metabolic alkalosis
Respiratory acidosis
Metabolic acidosis
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A reason: Respiratory alkalosis is not the correct answer. Respiratory alkalosis is a condition where the blood pH is high (above 7.45) due to low carbon dioxide levels (below 35 mmHg) caused by hyperventilation. The client's blood pH is low (7.2) and the carbon dioxide level is normal (40 mmHg), which does not indicate respiratory alkalosis.
Choice B reason: Metabolic alkalosis is not the correct answer. Metabolic alkalosis is a condition where the blood pH is high (above 7.45) due to high bicarbonate levels (above 26 mEq/L) caused by excessive loss of acids or intake of alkali. The client's blood pH is low (7.2) and the bicarbonate level is low (19 mEq/L), which does not indicate metabolic alkalosis.
Choice C reason: Respiratory acidosis is not the correct answer. Respiratory acidosis is a condition where the blood pH is low (below 7.35) due to high carbon dioxide levels (above 45 mmHg) caused by hypoventilation. The client's blood pH is low (7.2) but the carbon dioxide level is normal (40 mmHg), which does not indicate respiratory acidosis.
Choice D reason: This is the correct answer. Metabolic acidosis is a condition where the blood pH is low (below 7.35) due to low bicarbonate levels (below 22 mEq/L) caused by excessive production or intake of acids or loss of alkali. The client's blood pH is low (7.2) and the bicarbonate level is low (19 mEq/L), which indicates metabolic acidosis.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: This option is not correct because the cholesterol level is within the normal range of less than 200 mg/dL¹, the HDL level is slightly low but not too far from the recommended level of over 40 mg/dL for men and over 50 mg/dL for women¹, and the triglyceride level is also within the normal range of less than 150 mg/dL¹. Therefore, this set of laboratory results does not indicate a need for dietary modifications.
Choice B reason: This option is not correct because the cholesterol level is low, the HDL level is high, and the triglyceride level is normal. These are all desirable results that reflect a low risk of coronary artery disease¹. Therefore, this set of laboratory results does not indicate a need for dietary modifications.
Choice C reason: This option is correct because the cholesterol level is high, the HDL level is low, and the triglyceride level is high. These are all unfavorable results that reflect a high risk of coronary artery disease¹. High cholesterol and triglycerides can lead to plaque buildup in the arteries, which can cause atherosclerosis and reduce blood flow to the heart². Low HDL can also increase the risk of heart disease because it does not help remove LDL (bad cholesterol) from the arteries². Therefore, this set of laboratory results indicates a need for dietary modifications, such as reducing saturated and trans fats, increasing fiber, and limiting alcohol³.
Choice D reason: This option is not correct because the cholesterol level is normal, the HDL level is high, and the triglyceride level is normal. These are all desirable results that reflect a low risk of coronary artery disease¹. Therefore, this set of laboratory results does not indicate a need for dietary modifications..
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: Vitamin B12 does not contribute to the increased production of RBCs after significant blood loss. Vitamin B12 is a type of vitamin that is essential for the normal formation and maturation of red blood cells (RBCs), which carry oxygen throughout the body. ¹ However, vitamin B12 does not increase the production of RBCs in response to blood loss. That is the role of erythropoietin, a hormone that stimulates the bone marrow to produce more RBCs. ²
Choice B reason: Vitamin B12 is not needed to prevent excessive production of red blood cells. Vitamin B12 is needed for the normal production of red blood cells, not for the prevention of overproduction. Excessive production of red blood cells, also known as polycythemia, can cause the blood to become thick and viscous, increasing the risk of clotting and stroke. ³ Polycythemia can be caused by various factors, such as smoking, dehydration, or genetic mutations, but not by a lack of vitamin B12.
Choice C reason: Vitamin B12 is not needed to prevent RBCs from sticking together. Vitamin B12 is needed for the normal formation and maturation of RBCs, not for the prevention of aggregation. RBCs can stick together and form clumps, also known as rouleaux, which can impair blood flow and oxygen delivery. Rouleaux can be caused by various factors, such as inflammation, infection, or cancer, but not by a lack of vitamin B12.
Choice D reason: Vitamin B12 is needed for the normal formation and maturation of RBCs, but it cannot be absorbed by the body without a substance called intrinsic factor. Intrinsic factor is a protein that is produced by the stomach and binds to vitamin B12, allowing it to be absorbed by the small intestine. ¹ Pernicious anemia is a type of anemia that occurs when the stomach does not produce enough intrinsic factor, leading to vitamin B12 deficiency. The only way to treat pernicious anemia is by giving vitamin B12 injections, which bypass the need for intrinsic factor.
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