A nurse is caring for a post-operative patient with a respiratory rate of 9 breaths/minute secondary to general anesthesia effects and incisional pain. Which arterial blood gas (ABG) would the nurse anticipate?

pH 7.50, pO2 85, pCO2 35, HCO3 30 mEq/L

pH 7.30, pO2 90, pCO2 35, HCO3 20 mEq/L

pH 7.50, pO2 95, pCO2 25, HCO3 22 mEq/L

pH 7.30, pO2 80, pCO2 55, HCO3 22 mEq/L

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

Choice A reason: The values pH 7.50, pO2 85, pCO2 35, HCO3 30 mEq/L indicate alkalosis with a high bicarbonate level, which is not consistent with the patient’s slow respiratory rate that would typically lead to respiratory acidosis.

Choice B reason: The values pH 7.30, pO2 90, pCO2 35, HCO3 20 mEq/L indicate metabolic acidosis with normal pCO2, which does not align with the respiratory issue described (hypoventilation).

Choice C reason: The values pH 7.50, pO2 95, pCO2 25, HCO3 22 mEq/L indicate respiratory alkalosis, which is characterized by a low pCO2. This is not consistent with the patient’s hypoventilation, which would lead to elevated pCO2 levels.

Choice D reason: The values pH 7.30, pO2 80, pCO2 55, HCO3 22 mEq/L indicate respiratory acidosis, which aligns with the patient’s hypoventilation due to anesthesia effects and incisional pain. The elevated pCO2 and decreased pH are consistent with reduced respiratory rate and shallow breathing.

Nursing Test Bank

Quiz #1: RN Exams Pharmacology Exams Quiz #2: RN Exams Medical-Surgical Exams Quiz #3: RN Exams Fundamentals Exams Quiz #4: RN Exams Maternal-Newborn Exams Quiz #5: RN Exams Anatomy and Physiology Exams Quiz #6: RN Exams Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Quiz #7: RN Exams Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Quiz #8: RN Exams Community Health Exams Quiz #9: RN Exams Promoting Health across the lifespan Exams Quiz #10: RN Exams Multidimensional care Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Quiz #1: Naxlex RN Comprehensive online practice 2019 B with NGN Quiz #2: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Quiz #3: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Exit Exam A Quiz #4: Naxlex HESI Exit LPN Exam Quiz #5: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor PN 2020 Quiz #6: Naxlex VATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2020 Quiz #8: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 - Exam 1 Quiz #10: Naxlex HESI PN Exit exam Quiz #11: Naxlex HESI PN EXIT Exam 2

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A reason: A decreased heart rate is not a typical outcome of ACE inhibitor therapy. ACE inhibitors primarily work by relaxing blood vessels, which lowers blood pressure. They do not directly affect the heart rate. While some blood pressure medications can influence heart rate, this is not a common effect of ACE inhibitors like lisinopril.

Choice B reason: A decrease in chest pain is also not a primary outcome of ACE inhibitor therapy. While lowering blood pressure can help reduce the workload on the heart and potentially decrease angina (chest pain), this is more of an indirect effect. ACE inhibitors are primarily used for hypertension and heart failure, not specifically for pain relief.

Choice C reason: Hypokalemia, or low potassium levels, is not an expected outcome of taking an ACE inhibitor. In fact, ACE inhibitors can lead to hyperkalemia (high potassium levels) because they decrease aldosterone production, which causes the body to retain potassium. Patients on ACE inhibitors are often monitored for signs of hyperkalemia rather than hypokalemia.

Choice D reason: The correct and expected outcome of taking lisinopril, an ACE inhibitor, is decreased blood pressure. ACE inhibitors prevent the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II, a potent vasoconstrictor. By reducing levels of angiotensin II, ACE inhibitors help relax blood vessels, which lowers blood pressure and makes it easier for the heart to pump blood. This is the primary therapeutic effect of the medication.

A. Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI). B. Echocardiography. C. Exercise testing. D. Electrocardiography.

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A reason: Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) is a procedure used to open narrowed coronary arteries, usually with a balloon or stent. It is not a diagnostic test for assessing heart valves but rather a treatment for coronary artery disease.

Choice B reason: Echocardiography is a non-invasive imaging test that uses ultrasound waves to create detailed images of the heart's structures, including the heart valves. It allows for the assessment of valve function, structure, and blood flow, making it an essential tool for diagnosing valvular heart disease.

Choice C reason: Exercise testing, also known as a stress test, evaluates the heart's response to physical activity. While it can provide information on how well the heart handles increased workload and detect issues like ischemia, it is not specifically used for assessing heart valves.

Choice D reason: Electrocardiography (ECG or EKG) records the electrical activity of the heart and is used to detect arrhythmias, heart attacks, and other cardiac conditions. However, it does not provide detailed information about the heart valves' structure or function.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

A nurse is caring for a post-operative patient with a respiratory rate of 9 breaths/minute secondary to general anesthesia effects and incisional pain. Which arterial blood gas (ABG) would the nurse anticipate?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

The nurse is caring for a client who is receiving the ACE inhibitor lisinopril. Which of the following outcomes should the nurse anticipate?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

The healthcare provider recommends to a patient that diagnostic testing be performed to assess for valvular heart disease. The nurse teaches the patient about which test that is commonly used to assess the valves?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A patient is unsure of the decision to undergo peritoneal dialysis (PD) and wishes to discuss the advantages of this treatment with the nurse. Which statements by the nurse are accurate regarding PD? Select all that apply.

The nurse is caring for a patient admitted with advanced liver disease. Which laboratory result(s) would the nurse expect? Select all that apply.

The nursing care priorities for the patient with burn injuries include wound care, nutritional support, and prevention of complications such as infection. Based on these care priorities, the patient is most likely in which phase of burn care?

Which of these measures is appropriate for a patient diagnosed with increased intracranial pressure?

A nurse is reviewing the arterial blood gas values of a client who has chronic kidney disease. Which of the following sets of values should the nurse expect?

After a diagnosis of chronic kidney disease (CKD), the client was started on epoetin. Which finding indicates that the medication has been effective?

A nurse cares for a patient who has cirrhosis of the liver. What action would the nurse take to decrease the presence of ascites?