A nurse is caring for a client who has metabolic acidosis and is receiving sodium bicarbonate IV bolus and infusion to correct the pH imbalance. Which of the following laboratory values should the nurse monitor to evaluate the effectiveness of the therapy?
Serum sodium.
Serum potassium.
Serum chloride.
Serum bicarbonate.
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A reason:
Serum sodium is not directly related to the acid-base balance of the body. Sodium bicarbonate therapy does not affect the serum sodium level significantly. Therefore, monitoring serum sodium is not an effective way to evaluate the effectiveness of the therapy.
Choice B reason:
Serum potassium is inversely related to the serum pH. As the pH increases, the potassium level decreases, and vice versa. Sodium bicarbonate therapy raises the pH and lowers the potassium level. Therefore, monitoring serum potassium is important to prevent hypokalemia, but it does not directly reflect the acid-base balance of the body.
Choice C reason:
Serum chloride is inversely related to the serum bicarbonate level. As the bicarbonate level increases, the chloride level decreases, and vice versa. Sodium bicarbonate therapy increases the bicarbonate level and decreases the chloride level. Therefore, monitoring serum chloride is important to prevent hypochloremia, but it does not directly reflect the acid-base balance of the body.
Choice D reason:
Serum bicarbonate is directly related to the acid-base balance of the body. The normal range of serum bicarbonate is 22 to 26 mEq/L. In metabolic acidosis, the bicarbonate level is low, and in metabolic alkalosis, it is high. Sodium bicarbonate therapy aims to increase the bicarbonate level and correct metabolic acidosis. Therefore, monitoring serum bicarbonate is the most effective way to evaluate the effectiveness of the therapy.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason:
Kussmaul respirations are a type of deep, rapid breathing that occurs in response to metabolic acidosis. The body tries to compensate for the excess acid by blowing off carbon dioxide through the lungs. Kussmaul respirations are a common manifestation of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), which is a severe form of metabolic acidosis caused by the accumulation of ketones in the blood. The nurse should monitor the client's respiratory rate, depth, and pattern, as well as the arterial blood gas results, to assess the severity of metabolic acidosis and the effectiveness of treatment.
Choice B reason:
Bradypnea is a condition of abnormally slow breathing, usually less than 12 breaths per minute. Bradypnea can result from respiratory acidosis, which is a condition of excess carbon dioxide in the blood due to hypoventilation or impaired gas exchange. Bradypnea is not a manifestation of metabolic acidosis, which is a condition of excess acid in the blood due to increased production or decreased elimination of hydrogen ions. Therefore, choice B is incorrect.
Choice C reason:
Muscle spasms are involuntary contractions of the skeletal muscles that can cause pain and discomfort. Muscle spasms can result from hypocalcemia, which is a condition of low calcium levels in the blood. Hypocalcemia can occur in metabolic acidosis due to the binding of calcium with excess hydrogen ions, reducing the availability of free calcium for muscle contraction. However, muscle spasms are not a specific or common manifestation of metabolic acidosis, and they can have other causes such as dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, or muscle injury. Therefore, choice C is incorrect.
Choice D reason:
Numbness and tingling of extremities are sensations of reduced or abnormal feeling in the arms or legs. Numbness and tingling can result from hypokalemia, which is a condition of low potassium levels in the blood. Hypokalemia can occur in metabolic acidosis due to the movement of potassium from the intracellular to the extracellular space in exchange for hydrogen ions, which are then excreted by the kidneys. However, numbness and tingling are not specific or common manifestations of metabolic acidosis, and they can have other causes such as nerve compression, peripheral neuropathy, or hyperventilation. Therefore, choice D is incorrect.
Correct Answer is ["A","B","C","D"]
Explanation
Choice A reason:
Decreased thirst. This is a sign of improvement because hypernatremia causes increased thirst due to high sodium levels in the blood. Decreased thirst indicates that the fluid therapy has restored the normal balance of sodium and water in the body.
Choice B reason:
Increased urine output. This is a sign of improvement because hypernatremia can cause decreased urine output due to dehydration or kidney dysfunction. Increased urine output indicates that the fluid therapy has replenished the body's water and helped the kidneys excrete excess sodium.
Choice C reason:
Decreased serum sodium level. This is a sign of improvement because hypernatremia is defined as a serum sodium level higher than 145 mEq/L. Decreased serum sodium level indicates that the fluid therapy has diluted the blood and lowered the sodium concentration to within the normal range.
Choice D reason:
Increased level of consciousness. This is a sign of improvement because hypernatremia can cause confusion, lethargy, or coma due to the effects of high sodium levels on the brain. Increased level of consciousness indicates that the fluid therapy has improved the brain function and reduced the risk of brain injury.
Choice E reason:
Decreased edema. This is not a sign of improvement because hypernatremia does not cause edema, which is the accumulation of fluid in the interstitial spaces. Edema is more likely to occur in conditions such as hypervolemia (excess fluid volume) or hyponatremia (low sodium levels) Decreased edema may indicate that the fluid therapy has caused fluid overload or electrolyte imbalance, which can be harmful.
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