A patient is diagnosed with respiratory failure. Which acid-base abnormality should the nurse expect the patient to demonstrate?

a. Metabolic acidosis
b. Metabolic alkalosis
c. Respiratory acidosis
d. Respiratory alkalosis


ANS: C
Arterial blood gases in respiratory failure show decreasing PaO2 and pH and increasing PaCO2, which lead to respiratory acidosis. D. Respiratory alkalosis is associated with hyperventilation. A. B. Metabolic imbalances are not caused by respiratory dysfunction.

Nursing

You might also like to view...

A nurse cares for a client with adrenal hyperfunction. The client screams at her husband, bursts into tears, and throws her water pitcher against the wall. She then tells the nurse, "I feel like I am going crazy." How should the nurse respond?

a. "I will ask your doctor to order a psychiatric consult for you." b. "You feel this way because of your hormone levels." c. "Can I bring you information about support groups?" d. "I will close the door to your room and restrict visitors."

Nursing

Which is a common response to illness and disability?

a. Anger b. Demanding behavior c. Self-centered behavior d. Withdrawal

Nursing

A patient has AD. You are helping her dress. You should:

a. Decide what she will wear b. Let her choose from a dress, pant suit, sweat suit, or a skirt and blouse c. Let her choose between a dress and a pant suit d. Explain why she needs to wear undergar-ments

Nursing

The parent of an adolescent patient being evaluated for bulimia asks what diagnostic tests can be done. What is the nurse's best response?

A. "Bulimia is rarely diagnosed correctly." B. "You should ask the doctor about this." C. "Your child will need a psychiatric evaluation to determine the diagnosis." D. "There is no specific test that can determine bulimia."

Nursing