A 20-year-old male is in acute pain with restlessness and anxiety. An arterial blood gas reveals decreased CO2 levels. Which of the following does the nurse suspect is the most likely cause?
Hyperventilation
Nephrolithiasis
Acute fracture
Urinary tract infection
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A reason: Hyperventilation causes decreased CO2 levels (respiratory alkalosis) due to rapid breathing from pain, anxiety, or restlessness. This matches the patient’s symptoms and blood gas results, making it the correct cause.
Choice B reason: Nephrolithiasis causes pain but doesn’t typically lead to hyperventilation or low CO2. Respiratory alkalosis from hyperventilation better explains the findings, so this is incorrect for the cause.
Choice C reason: Acute fracture causes pain but not necessarily hyperventilation or low CO2. Anxiety-driven hyperventilation is more likely to cause respiratory alkalosis, so this is incorrect for the primary cause.
Choice D reason: Urinary tract infection may cause discomfort but not low CO2 or hyperventilation. Anxiety and pain causing hyperventilation align with the blood gas, so this is incorrect.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: Lethargy is a common manifestation of hypothyroidism, resulting from slowed metabolism due to low thyroid hormone levels. It leads to fatigue and reduced energy, aligning with hypothyroid symptoms, making it a correct choice for clinical manifestations.
Choice B reason: Constipation is a hallmark of hypothyroidism, caused by decreased gastrointestinal motility from low thyroid hormone. This digestive slowing is a frequent complaint, making it a correct selection for hypothyroidism’s clinical manifestations.
Choice C reason: Restlessness is associated with hyperthyroidism, not hypothyroidism, which causes lethargy and slowed activity. Hypothyroid patients lack the agitation seen in hyperthyroid states, so this is incorrect for hypothyroidism manifestations.
Choice D reason: Intolerance to heat is a hyperthyroidism symptom, not hypothyroidism, where patients experience cold intolerance due to slowed metabolism. This is opposite to hypothyroid effects, so it’s incorrect for hypothyroidism’s clinical manifestations.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: Platelet plug formation (activation, adhesion, aggregation) is a key hemostasis stage, initiating clotting. Hypercoagulability is a pathological state, not a normal stage, so this is incorrect as the exception.
Choice B reason: Blood coagulation, forming a fibrin clot, is a core hemostasis stage, stabilizing the platelet plug. Hypercoagulability is not a standard stage, so this is incorrect for the exception.
Choice C reason: Hypercoagulability is a pathological condition increasing clotting risk, not a normal hemostasis stage. Vessel spasm, platelet plug, and coagulation are standard stages, making this the correct exception.
Choice D reason: Vessel spasm (vasoconstriction) is the initial hemostasis stage, reducing blood flow to the injury. Hypercoagulability is not a stage, so this is incorrect as the exception.
Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.
Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today
Report Wrong Answer on the Current Question
Do you disagree with the answer? If yes, what is your expected answer? Explain.
Kindly be descriptive with the issue you are facing.