A patient reports leg pain that awakens the patient at night.
The patient reports that the same pain develops in the legs when they are elevated and disappears when the legs are dangled.
Which condition would the nurse suspect?

Peripheral arterial disease.

Lymphatic obstruction.

Chronic venous insufficiency.

Musculoskeletal abnormalities.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

Choice A rationale:

The patient's symptoms of leg pain that worsens at night and occurs when the legs are elevated but improves when they are dangled are indicative of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) PAD is a condition caused by the narrowing of arteries in the legs due to atherosclerosis. This narrowing restricts blood flow to the muscles, causing pain, especially during activities or positions that demand increased blood flow like walking or elevating the legs.

Choice B rationale:

Lymphatic obstruction typically does not cause pain in the same manner described by the patient. Lymphatic obstruction may cause swelling and discomfort, but it usually does not lead to pain that worsens with elevation and improves with dangling.

Choice C rationale:

Chronic venous insufficiency can cause leg pain and swelling, especially when standing for extended periods. However, the characteristic of pain worsening at night and with leg elevation points more towards arterial issues like PAD rather than venous insufficiency.

Choice D rationale:

Musculoskeletal abnormalities could cause localized pain, but the pattern described by the patient (worsening at night, relief with dangling) is not typical of musculoskeletal issues. PAD, on the other hand, often presents with these specific symptoms due to compromised blood flow to the muscles in the legs.

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A rationale:

Metabolic acidosis is characterized by low blood pH and low bicarbonate ion levels. The patient's bicarbonate ion level (24 mEq/L) is within the normal range, and the low pH (7.32) and elevated PaCO2 (56 mm Hg) indicate respiratory acidosis, not metabolic acidosis.

Choice B rationale:

Metabolic alkalosis is characterized by high blood pH and high bicarbonate ion levels. The patient's pH is low (7.32), and the bicarbonate ion level (24 mEq/L) is within the normal range, indicating respiratory acidosis rather than metabolic alkalosis.

Choice C rationale:

Respiratory acidosis is characterized by low blood pH and high PaCO2 levels. In this case, the patient has a low pH (7.32) and elevated PaCO2 (56 mm Hg), indicating respiratory acidosis. The bicarbonate ion level (24 mEq/L) is a compensatory response. Respiratory alkalosis would present with high pH and low PaCO2 levels.

Choice D rationale:

Respiratory alkalosis is characterized by high blood pH and low PaCO2 levels. The patient's PaCO2 level is elevated (56 mm Hg), indicating respiratory acidosis, not alkalosis. The low pH (7.32) further supports the diagnosis of respiratory acidosis.

A. Does not interact with acids. B. Promotes the excretion of acid. C. Activates the system of acid-base balance. D. Increases the action of the hydrogen ions.

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A rationale:

The base does interact with acids in the acid-base balance. Bases, by definition, are substances that can accept hydrogen ions (protons) and neutralize acids. In the context of acid-base balance, bases help regulate the pH of body fluids by counteracting the effects of acids.

Choice B rationale:

The role of the base in the acid-base balance is to promote the excretion of acid. Bicarbonate ions (HCO3-) are a vital component of the body's buffering system, helping to neutralize excess acid. The kidneys play a crucial role in excreting acids from the body, maintaining the acid-base balance.

Choice C rationale:

The base does not activate the system of acid-base balance; instead, it is part of the body's natural buffering system. The acid-base balance is regulated by the lungs and kidneys, which work together to maintain the pH of body fluids within a narrow range (7.35-7.45)

Choice D rationale:

Bases do not increase the action of hydrogen ions. In fact, bases neutralize hydrogen ions, which are acidic. By accepting these ions, bases help to decrease the acidity of a solution, playing a key role in maintaining the body's acid-base balance.

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A patient reports leg pain that awakens the patient at night.The patient reports that the same pain develops in the legs when they are elevated and disappears when the legs are dangled.Which condition would the nurse suspect?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A patient's arterial blood gas (ABG) results include a pH of 7.32, a PaCO2 of 56 mm Hg, and an HCO3 of 24 mEq/L. Which acid-base imbalance would the nurse use when developing the patient's plan of care?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Which role is attributed to the base in the acid-base balance?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

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A patient reports leg pain that awakens the patient at night.
The patient reports that the same pain develops in the legs when they are elevated and disappears when the legs are dangled.
Which condition would the nurse suspect?