A client experiencing respiratory acidosis as a result of COPD is likely to present with which of the following clinical signs? (Select all that apply)
Repeatedly asking "Where am I?"
Difficult to arouse
Barrel chest
Dysrhythmias
Rapid, shallow respirations
Correct Answer : A,B,D
A. Repeatedly asking "Where am I?": This can be a sign of confusion or disorientation due to the buildup of CO2 in respiratory acidosis. As CO2 accumulates in the blood, it can lead to impaired brain function, resulting in confusion or altered mental status.
B. Difficult to arouse: Respiratory acidosis leads to increased CO2 levels, which can depress the central nervous system, causing lethargy and difficulty arousing the patient. This is a common manifestation of respiratory acidosis, especially in severe cases.
C. Barrel chest: A barrel chest is a long-term, chronic structural change in the chest wall, commonly seen in individuals with advanced COPD. While a client with COPD will likely have a barrel chest, it is a chronic anatomical finding, not an acute clinical sign resulting from current respiratory acidosis.
D. Dysrhythmias: Elevated CO2 levels can affect the heart's electrical conduction system, leading to arrhythmias. This is a known complication of respiratory acidosis, particularly in COPD patients, as the body struggles to compensate for the acidotic state.
E. Rapid, shallow respirations: Rapid, shallow respirations are more typical of respiratory alkalosis, where the body is trying to expel CO2 quickly. In respiratory acidosis, the body may attempt to compensate by increasing the rate of breathing, but the respirations are typically deep and labored (Kussmaul's respirations), not shallow.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["100"]
Explanation
Calculation:
Total volume to be infused = 50 mL.
Infusion time in minutes = 30 minutes.
Tubing drop factor = 60 gtt/mL.1
- Calculate the flow rate in drops per minute (gtt/min).
Flow rate (gtt/min) = (Total volume (mL) × Tubing drop factor (gtt/mL)) / Infusion time (min)
= (50 mL × 60 gtt/mL) / 30 min
= 3000 / 30 gtt/min
= 100 gtt/min.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Increased urinary output: Increased urinary output is not a primary compensatory mechanism for metabolic acidosis. The kidneys help compensate by excreting hydrogen ions and reabsorbing bicarbonate, but this does not directly lead to increased urinary output.
B. Reduced abdominal distention: Abdominal distention is unrelated to the compensatory mechanism for metabolic acidosis. The primary compensatory mechanism is respiratory, not gastrointestinal.
C. Kussmaul respirations: Kussmaul respirations are deep, rapid breaths that occur as a compensatory mechanism for metabolic acidosis. The body increases the respiratory rate and depth to expel CO2, which is acidic and raise the blood pH, helping to correct the acid-base imbalance.
D. Decreased blood pressure: Decreased blood pressure can occur in various conditions, including metabolic acidosis, but it is not part of the compensatory mechanism. The body's response to metabolic acidosis is increasing ventilation to expel CO2 and correct the pH imbalance.
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