A client is being discharged from the emergency department with several broken ribs. For which acid-base imbalance does the nurse provide discharge teaching?
a. Respiratory alkalosis from anxiety and hyperventilation
b. Respiratory acidosis from inadequate ventilation
c. Metabolic acidosis from calcium loss from broken bones
d. Metabolic alkalosis from taking base-containing analgesics
B
Pain from broken ribs often causes the client to breathe more shallowly to avoid moving his or her ribs and increasing pain. If respiration is shallow enough, ventilation is inadequate, leading to poor gas exchange and respiratory acidosis. Hyperventilation would more likely cause respiratory alkalosis. The calcium loss from broken ribs probably would not affect acid-base balance. Taking analgesics as prescribed for pain probably also would not affect acid-base balance.
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A patient with a bacterial infection has been placed on antibacterial therapy. Which assessment finding in the patient indicates to the nurse that the therapy is effective?
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A nurse is planning a presentation regarding anthrax. What should the nurse include?
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