A nurse is caring for a client who has hypovolemic shock. Which of the following should the nurse recognize as an expected finding?
Hypertension
Bradypnea
Oliguria
Flushing of the skin
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A Reason: This is incorrect because hypertension is a condition of high blood pressure. A client who has hypovolemic shock is more likely to have hypotension, which is a condition of low blood pressure, due to fluid loss and reduced cardiac output.
Choice B Reason: This is incorrect because bradypnea is a condition of slow breathing. A client who has hypovolemic shock is more likely to have tachypnea, which is a condition of fast breathing, due to hypoxia and increased respiratory demand.
Choice C Reason: This is correct because oliguria is a condition of low urine output. A client who has hypovolemic shock may have oliguria due to decreased renal perfusion and activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, which causes sodium and water retention.
Choice D reason: This is incorrect because flushing of the skin is a condition of redness and warmth of the skin. A client who has hypovolemic shock may have pallor and coolness of the skin due to vasoconstriction and reduced blood flow.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A Reason: This is incorrect because right ventricular failure would cause an increase in right atrial pressure and right ventricular end-diastolic pressure, but not in PAWP, which reflects left atrial pressure and left ventricular end- diastolic pressure.
Choice B Reason: This is incorrect because fluid volume deficit would cause a decrease in PAWP, as there would be less blood volume in the pulmonary circulation.
Choice C Reason: This is correct because mitral regurgitation would cause an increase in PAWP, as the blood would back up into the left atrium and pulmonary veins due to the incompetent mitral valve.
Choice D Reason: This is incorrect because afterload reduction would cause a decrease in PAWP, as there would be less resistance to the left ventricular ejection and less blood volume in the pulmonary circulation.

Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A Reason: This choice is correct because respiratory acidosis is a condition in which the lungs cannot eliminate enough carbon dioxide (CO2) from the blood, resulting in a high level of CO2 (PaCO2) and a low level of pH. A normal PaCO2 range is 35 to 45 mm Hg, so a value of 50 mm Hg indicates respiratory acidosis.
Choice B Reason: This choice is incorrect because HCO3 (bicarbonate) is a base that helps to buffer the excess acid in the blood. In respiratory acidosis, the kidneys try to compensate by retaining more HCO3 and excreting more hydrogen ions. Therefore, a high level of HCO3 (above 26 mEq/L) would indicate a chronic or compensated respiratory acidosis, not an acute or uncompensated one.
Choice C Reason: This choice is incorrect because pH is a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of the blood. A normal pH range is 7.35 to 7.45, so a value of 7.45 indicates a neutral or slightly alkaline blood, not an acidic one. A low pH (below 7.35) would indicate respiratory acidosis.
Choice D Reason: This choice is incorrect because potassium is an electrolyte that helps to regulate the nerve and muscle function, as well as the fluid balance in the body. In respiratory acidosis, the increased hydrogen ions in the blood may shift into the cells in exchange for potassium, resulting in a high level of potassium (hyperkalemia).
Therefore, a low level of potassium (below 3.5 mEq/L) would indicate hypokalemia, not respiratory acidosis.

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