A child is brought to the pediatric clinic because he has been vomiting for the past 2 days. What acid-base imbalance would the nurse expect to occur from this persistent vomiting?

Alkalosis

Acidosis

Hyperkalemia

Hypernatremia

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

Choice A reason: Persistent vomiting causes loss of gastric acid (HCl), reducing hydrogen ions in the blood, leading to metabolic alkalosis (pH >7.45). The body compensates by retaining bicarbonate, exacerbating alkalosis. This is expected in a child with prolonged vomiting, as acid loss disrupts acid-base balance, requiring fluid and electrolyte correction.

Choice B reason: Metabolic acidosis results from loss of bicarbonate or accumulation of acids, as in diarrhea or diabetic ketoacidosis. Vomiting causes loss of hydrogen ions, not bicarbonate, leading to alkalosis, not acidosis. This imbalance is inconsistent with the pathophysiology of persistent vomiting, making it an incorrect expectation.

Choice C reason: Hyperkalemia is an electrolyte imbalance, not an acid-base disorder, and is not directly caused by vomiting. Vomiting may cause hypokalemia due to potassium loss in emesis. The question focuses on acid-base balance, making hyperkalemia irrelevant, as alkalosis is the expected outcome of prolonged vomiting.

Choice D reason: Hypernatremia results from excessive sodium or water loss, not directly from vomiting, which primarily causes hydrogen and potassium loss. It is an electrolyte imbalance, not an acid-base disorder. Metabolic alkalosis from gastric acid loss is the expected imbalance, making hypernatremia incorrect for this clinical scenario.

Nursing Test Bank

Quiz #1: RN Exams Pharmacology Exams Quiz #2: RN Exams Medical-Surgical Exams Quiz #3: RN Exams Fundamentals Exams Quiz #4: RN Exams Maternal-Newborn Exams Quiz #5: RN Exams Anatomy and Physiology Exams Quiz #6: RN Exams Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Quiz #7: RN Exams Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Quiz #8: RN Exams Community Health Exams Quiz #9: RN Exams Promoting Health across the lifespan Exams Quiz #10: RN Exams Multidimensional care Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Quiz #1: Naxlex RN Comprehensive online practice 2019 B with NGN Quiz #2: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Quiz #3: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Exit Exam A Quiz #4: Naxlex HESI Exit LPN Exam Quiz #5: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor PN 2020 Quiz #6: Naxlex VATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2020 Quiz #8: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 - Exam 1 Quiz #10: Naxlex HESI PN Exit exam Quiz #11: Naxlex HESI PN EXIT Exam 2

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A reason: Acute appendicitis typically causes right lower quadrant pain due to inflammation of the appendix, often at McBurney’s point. Left lower quadrant pain is associated with conditions like diverticulitis, not appendicitis. The anatomical location of the appendix makes this an incorrect expected finding in a child with appendicitis.

Choice B reason: Bradycardia is not typical in acute appendicitis, which often causes tachycardia due to pain, inflammation, or fever from infection. The body’s stress response increases heart rate to meet metabolic demands. Leukocytosis is a more specific sign, making bradycardia an incorrect expected finding in this condition.

Choice C reason: Hyperactive bowel sounds occur early in appendicitis but progress to hypoactive sounds as inflammation worsens, causing ileus. By the time of acute presentation, bowel sounds are typically diminished. Elevated WBC is a more consistent finding, reflecting infection, making hyperactive sounds less likely in advanced appendicitis.

Choice D reason: A WBC of 17,000/mm³ indicates leukocytosis, a hallmark of acute appendicitis due to bacterial infection and inflammation of the appendix. Neutrophil elevation reflects the body’s immune response to localized peritonitis. This is an expected finding, as it confirms the infectious process, requiring urgent surgical evaluation in children.

A. The onset of low blood glucose usually occurs rapidly B. My son might have nausea and trembling with hypoglycemia C. My son might complain of feeling hot when he has a low blood glucose level D. Sweating can occur with hypoglycemia

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A reason: Hypoglycemia in diabetes has a rapid onset due to sudden drops in blood glucose (<70 mg/dL), triggering sympathetic responses like trembling. This statement is correct, as it reflects the acute nature of hypoglycemic episodes, requiring no clarification, as the parent understands the urgency of symptom recognition.

Choice B reason: Nausea and trembling are common hypoglycemia symptoms, resulting from autonomic activation and cerebral glucose deprivation. This statement is correct, as these signs indicate low blood glucose, prompting timely intervention like glucose administration. The parent’s understanding aligns with hypoglycemia pathophysiology, requiring no further clarification in diabetes education.

Choice C reason: Feeling hot is not typical of hypoglycemia, which causes diaphoresis and cool, clammy skin due to sympathetic activation. Instead, feeling cold or sweaty is common. This statement is incorrect, indicating a need for clarification to ensure the parent recognizes accurate hypoglycemia symptoms for timely intervention in diabetes management.

Choice D reason: Sweating is a hallmark of hypoglycemia, caused by catecholamine release in response to low blood glucose. This statement is correct, as diaphoresis signals an acute need for glucose to prevent complications like seizures. The parent’s understanding is accurate, requiring no clarification in diabetes discharge teaching.

View Question and Answer

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

A child is brought to the pediatric clinic because he has been vomiting for the past 2 days. What acid-base imbalance would the nurse expect to occur from this persistent vomiting?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is collecting data from a child who has acute appendicitis. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A nurse is reinforcing discharge teaching with the parent of a child who has a new diagnosis of diabetes mellitus. Which of the following statements by the parent requires a clarification of the teaching?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A nurse is caring for a child who has Hirschsprung’s disease. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect? (Select all that apply)

Regular insulin is considered:

Which menu selections are best for a child diagnosed with celiac disease?

A nurse is caring for a 2-month-old child. The child’s provider has ordered a diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTaP) vaccine to be administered. Which of the following should cause the nurse to question the administration of this vaccine?

Which instructions should the nurse give parents about caring for a child with acute glomerulonephritis with edema?

A nurse is caring for an infant who has gastroesophageal reflux. The nurse should place the infant in which of the following positions after feeding?

A nurse is collecting data from a child who has nephrotic syndrome. Which of the following manifestations should the nurse expect?

A nurse administers subcutaneous NPH insulin at 0700 to a child who has diabetes. At which of the following times should the nurse observe for hypoglycemia caused by the onset of the medication?