A nurse is caring for a client diagnosis with uncompensated metabolic alkalosis secondary to prolonged vomiting. When reviewing this client's laboratory data, which value should the nurse anticipate?
decreased PaCO2
Increased PaCO2
Increased HCO3
decreased pH
The Correct Answer is C
Rationale:
A. Decreased PaCO₂ occurs in respiratory alkalosis, not metabolic alkalosis.
B. Increased PaCO₂ may occur as compensation, but in uncompensated metabolic alkalosis, this has not yet occurred.
C. In metabolic alkalosis, especially from vomiting (loss of gastric acid), there is a primary increase in bicarbonate (HCO₃⁻).
D. Decreased pH is associated with acidosis, not alkalosis.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Rationale:
A. In respiratory acidosis, CO₂ accumulates in the blood due to hypoventilation, lowering the pH. The kidneys compensate by retaining HCO₃ (bicarbonate), which helps buffer excess hydrogen ions and raise the pH toward normal.
B. Hypoventilation causes or worsens respiratory acidosis by increasing CO₂ levels, so it is not a compensatory response.
C. Excreting HCO₃ would lower the pH further and worsen the acidosis, so this is incorrect.
D. Hyperventilation helps reduce CO₂ levels but is a respiratory response, not a renal compensatory mechanism. Compensation for respiratory acidosis primarily occurs via the kidneys, not the lungs.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Rationale:
A. Retention of carbon dioxide can lead to acidosis, but it is not a direct result of increased hydrogen ions.
B. An increased concentration of hydrogen ions (H⁺) lowers the pH of body fluids, making them acidic.
C. Fluids become alkaline when hydrogen ion concentration is low, not high.
D. Oxygen ions are not released as a response to hydrogen ion concentration changes.
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