A nurse is assisting with the care of a client who has respiratory alkalosis and is hyperventilating.
What action should the nurse take?
Plan to administer insulin to the client.
Have the client breathe into a paper bag.
Plan to administer sodium bicarbonate to the client.
Have the client place their head between their knees.
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A rationale:
Administering insulin to a client who is hyperventilating due to respiratory alkalosis would not be the appropriate action. Insulin is used to lower blood glucose levels in clients with hyperglycemia, such as those with diabetes mellitus. It does not directly address the issues of hyperventilation or respiratory alkalosis.
Choice B rationale:
Having the client breathe into a paper bag is the correct action in this case. When a person hyperventilates, they exhale more carbon dioxide (CO2) than they produce. This can lead to a state of respiratory alkalosis, where the blood becomes too alkaline due to the low levels of CO2. By breathing into a paper bag, the client re-inhales some of the exhaled CO2, helping to restore the balance of gases in the blood and alleviate the symptoms of respiratory alkalosis.
Choice C rationale:
Administering sodium bicarbonate to a client who is hyperventilating and has respiratory alkalosis would not be the appropriate action. Sodium bicarbonate is an alkalinizing agent used to treat conditions where there is too much acid in the body, such as metabolic acidosis. In this case, the client’s body is too alkaline due to the respiratory alkalosis, so administering an alkalinizing agent would exacerbate the condition.
Choice D rationale:
Having the client place their head between their knees would not be the appropriate action for a client who is hyperventilating due to respiratory alkalosis. This position is often used to help alleviate symptoms of dizziness or fainting, but it does not address the underlying issue of the imbalance of gases in the blood due to hyperventilation.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
The correct answer is Choice A: Don sterile gloves before inserting the indwelling urinary catheter.
Choice A rationale:
Donning sterile gloves is crucial to prevent infection during the insertion of an indwelling urinary catheter. Maintaining aseptic technique is essential to avoid introducing pathogens into the urinary tract.
Choice B rationale:
Applying an oil-based lubricant to the catheter is not recommended as it can interfere with the sterility of the procedure and potentially cause irritation or infection.
Choice C rationale:
Testing the balloon before insertion is important, but it is not the first step in the process. The priority is to ensure that the nurse is using sterile gloves to maintain aseptic technique.
Choice D rationale:
Using one cotton swab to clean the patient’s urinary meatus is not sufficient for proper aseptic technique. The area should be cleaned thoroughly with appropriate antiseptic solutions and sterile supplies.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
A respiratory rate of 28/min is not an indication that the intervention was effective. A normal respiratory rate for an adult at rest is between 12 and 20 breaths per minute. A respiratory rate of 28/min is considered tachypnea, which could be a sign of respiratory distress, not an improvement.
Choice B rationale:
Pink mucous membranes are a good sign. They indicate effective oxygenation and perfusion. When the body is receiving an adequate amount of oxygen, the skin, lips, and mucous membranes can appear pink. This is a positive outcome of oxygen therapy for hypoxia.
Choice C rationale:
A heart rate of 110/min is not an indication that the intervention was effective. A normal resting heart rate for adults ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute. A heart rate of 110/min is considered tachycardia, which could be a sign of distress or compensation for hypoxia, not an improvement.
Choice D rationale:
Restlessness is not an indication that the intervention was effective. On the contrary, restlessness can be a sign of inadequate oxygenation. When the brain does not receive enough oxygen, a patient can become restless or anxious. Therefore, restlessness is not a positive outcome of oxygen therapy for hypoxia.
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