Which explanation does the nurse know best describes the role of inflammation in the development of atherosclerosis?

Choice A reason: A client with a 10-year history of chronic lung disease is not the most at risk to develop metabolic acidosis because chronic lung disease causes respiratory acidosis, not metabolic acidosis. Respiratory acidosis is a condition where the lungs cannot eliminate enough carbon dioxide, resulting in a low pH and a high bicarbonate level in the blood.

Choice B reason: A client receiving parenteral nutrition for 2 weeks is not the most at risk to develop metabolic acidosis because parenteral nutrition does not affect the acid-base balance of the body, unless there is an infection or a complication. Parenteral nutrition is a method of providing nutrients through a vein, bypassing the digestive system.

Choice C reason: A client with a history of severe diarrhea for 5 days is the most at risk to develop metabolic acidosis because diarrhea causes loss of bicarbonate, which is a base that helps maintain the pH of the blood. Loss of bicarbonate leads to a low pH and a low bicarbonate level in the blood, indicating metabolic acidosis.

Choice D reason: A client with a temperature of 102°F (38.9°C) for 48 hours is not the most at risk to develop metabolic acidosis because fever does not directly cause metabolic acidosis, unless there is dehydration or sepsis. Fever is a symptom of an infection or inflammation, which can increase the metabolic rate and the production of carbon dioxide, but the lungs can usually compensate by increasing the ventilation.

Choice A reason: Numbness and tingling of the fingers and toes is not the expected finding because it is a sign of alkalosis, not acidosis. Alkalosis is a condition where the blood has a high pH, which means that it is too basic or alkaline. Alkalosis can cause numbness and tingling of the fingers and toes due to hypocalcemia, which is a low level of calcium in the blood, or hypokalemia, which is a low level of potassium in the blood. Both conditions can affect the nerve and muscle function, causing paresthesia, which is an abnormal sensation of the skin.

Choice B reason: A diffuse headache described as "throbbing" is the expected finding because it is a sign of acidosis, which is a condition where the blood has a low pH, which means that it is too acidic. Acidosis can cause a diffuse headache described as "throbbing" due to vasodilation, which is the widening of the blood vessels, especially in the brain. Vasodilation can increase the blood flow and the pressure in the head, causing pain and discomfort.

Choice C reason: Flushed skin that is warm to the touch is not the expected finding because it is a sign of fever, not salicylate toxicity. Fever is a condition where the body temperature is higher than normal, usually due to an infection or inflammation. Fever can cause flushed skin that is warm to the touch due to increased blood flow to the skin, which helps to dissipate the excess heat.

Choice D reason: Decreased muscle strength and deep tendon reflexes is not the expected finding because it is a sign of neuromuscular blockade, not salicylate toxicity. Neuromuscular blockade is a condition where the communication between the nerves and the muscles is impaired, causing paralysis or weakness. Neuromuscular blockade can be caused by various factors, such as medications, toxins, or diseases, that interfere with the transmission of acetylcholine, which is a neurotransmitter that stimulates the muscle contraction.