Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely to cause abdominal pain, urinary retention, and confusion?

Sodium (Na+)

Calcium (Ca2+)

Chloride (Cl-)

Phosphates (PO4^3^-)

Potassium (K+)

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

Choice A reason: Sodium (Na+) imbalance can cause neurological symptoms such as confusion, seizures, or coma, but not abdominal pain or urinary retention.

Choice B reason: Calcium (Ca2+) imbalance can cause abdominal pain, urinary retention, and confusion, as well as muscle weakness, bone pain, and cardiac arrhythmias. These signs are the result of an inadequate supply of calcium, which is essential for nerve and muscle function, as well as bone health.

Choice C reason: Chloride (Cl-) imbalance can cause acid-base disorders such as metabolic acidosis or alkalosis, but not abdominal pain, urinary retention, or confusion.

Choice D reason: Phosphates (PO4^3^-) imbalance can cause bone and muscle problems, such as rickets, osteomalacia, or tetany, but not abdominal pain, urinary retention, or confusion.

Choice E reason: Potassium (K+) imbalance can cause cardiac and neuromuscular symptoms, such as arrhythmias, palpitations, muscle weakness, or paralysis, but not abdominal pain, urinary retention, or confusion.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A reason: This is correct because acidosis is a condition where the serum pH is lower than the normal range of 7.35 to 7.45. Acidosis can be caused by an excess of acids or a loss of bases in the body, which can affect the function of various organs and systems.

Choice B reason: This is incorrect because equal bicarbonate is not a condition, but a term that describes the balance between bicarbonate (HCO3-) and carbonic acid (H2CO3) in the blood. Bicarbonate is a base that buffers the acids in the blood and maintains the pH. Equal bicarbonate means that the ratio of bicarbonate to carbonic acid is 20:1, which is the normal value.

Choice C reason: This is incorrect because neutral carbonic acid is not a condition, but a term that describes the pH of carbonic acid (H2CO3) in the blood. Carbonic acid is an acid that forms when carbon dioxide (CO2) dissolves in water. Neutral carbonic acid means that the pH of carbonic acid is 7.0, which is neither acidic nor basic.

Choice D reason: This is incorrect because alkalosis is a condition where the serum pH is higher than the normal range of 7.35 to 7.45. Alkalosis can be caused by a loss of acids or an excess of bases in the body, which can affect the function of various organs and systems.

A. Metabolic alkalosis B. Metabolic acidosis C. Respiratory alkalosis D. Respiratory acidosis

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A reason: This is correct because metabolic alkalosis is characterized by a high pH and a high HCO3-. The client's pH and HCO3- are both high, indicating a metabolic disorder. The condition is uncompensated because the PaCO2 is normal, meaning the respiratory system is not compensating for the metabolic alkalosis.

Choice B reason: This is incorrect because metabolic acidosis is characterized by a low pH and a low HCO3-. The client's pH and HCO3- are both high, indicating alkalosis, not acidosis.

Choice C reason: This is incorrect because respiratory alkalosis is characterized by a high pH and a low PaCO2. The client's pH is high, but PaCO2 is normal, indicating a metabolic problem, not a respiratory one.

Choice D reason: This is incorrect because respiratory acidosis is characterized by a low pH and a high PaCO2. The client's pH is high, and PaCO2 is normal, indicating a metabolic problem, not a respiratory one.

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Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely to cause abdominal pain, urinary retention, and confusion?

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A decreased serum pH causes a condition known as:

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A nurse is reviewing the arterial blood gas (ABG) results of a client. The client's ABGs are: pH 7.6 PaCO2 40 mm Hg HCO3 32 mEq/L Which of the following acid-base conditions should the nurse identify the client is experiencing?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

An isotonic state exists within a patient's body fluids when the solute concentration of:

The nurse is aware that small ions such as glucose, oxygen, and carbon dioxide redistribute themselves through semipermeable membranes by a process called dropdown.

The nurse caring for a frail 92-year-old dehydrated patient should add to the plan of care:

An anxious adult patient is experiencing a respiratory rate of 40 breaths/min. The most appropriate intervention that the nurse could do is to instruct the patient to:

Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely to cause abdominal pain, urinary retention, and confusion?

An electrolyte is a mineral or salt dissolved in the body. (Write True or False)

The nurse reviews a client's electrolyte results and notes that the potassium level is 5.4 mEq/L. What would the nurse look for on the cardiac monitor as a result of this laboratory value?

What is the normal range of serum calcium in adults?