A nurse is caring for a client in the emergency department (ED) who has high anxiety and shallow respirations at a rate of 30/min. Which of the following acid-base disturbances is the client most likely experiencing?

Respiratory acidosis

Respiratory alkalosis

Metabolic acidosis

Metabolic alkalosis

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

A. Respiratory acidosis occurs due to hypoventilation, resulting in carbon dioxide retention. This condition is characterized by slow, shallow breathing and confusion, which is not consistent with the client's rapid respiratory rate of 30/min.
B. Respiratory alkalosis is typically caused by hyperventilation, where excessive breathing leads to a decrease in carbon dioxide levels. The client's symptoms of high anxiety and rapid, shallow respirations are indicative of hyperventilation, making respiratory alkalosis the most likely diagnosis.
C. Metabolic acidosis is characterized by deep, rapid breathing (Kussmaul respirations) as the body attempts to expel excess acid. The client's shallow respirations are inconsistent with the breathing pattern seen in metabolic acidosis.
D. Metabolic alkalosis usually presents with symptoms such as dizziness and tingling, often with compensatory slow respirations. The rapid respiratory rate in this case does not suggest metabolic alkalosis, making this option unlikely.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A. "Diffusion is the movement of molecules from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration.": This statement accurately describes diffusion. Molecules move down their concentration gradient from areas of higher concentration to areas of lower concentration until equilibrium is reached.

B. "Diffusion is the movement of particles between areas of equal concentrations.": Diffusion does not occur between areas of equal concentration as there is no concentration gradient to drive the movement.

C. "Diffusion is the movement of water from an area of higher concentration of water to an area of lower concentration of water.": This describes osmosis, not diffusion. Osmosis specifically refers to the movement of water across a semipermeable membrane.

D. "Diffusion is the movement of particles from an area of lower concentration of particles to an area of higher concentration of particles.": This is incorrect as diffusion occurs from higher to lower concentration, not the reverse.

A. Diarrhea B. Vomiting C. Salicylate intoxication D. Hyperventilation

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A. Diarrhea: Diarrhea leads to the loss of bicarbonate, an important buffer in the blood, which can contribute to the development of metabolic acidosis as the body loses bicarbonate faster than it can replace it.

B. Vomiting: Vomiting typically leads to metabolic alkalosis due to the loss of stomach acid, which reduces the amount of hydrogen ions in the body.

C. Salicylate intoxication: This condition primarily causes a mixed acid-base disturbance, including metabolic acidosis and respiratory alkalosis, due to its effects on both the metabolic and respiratory systems.

D. Hyperventilation: This condition causes respiratory alkalosis due to excessive loss of carbon dioxide, not metabolic acidosis.

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A nurse is caring for a client in the emergency department (ED) who has high anxiety and shallow respirations at a rate of 30/min. Which of the following acid-base disturbances is the client most likely experiencing?

Nursing Test Bank

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A nurse is caring for a client in the emergency department (ED) who has high anxiety and shallow respirations at a rate of 30/min. Which of the following acid-base disturbances is the client most likely experiencing?

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