A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has the following arterial blood gas (ABG) results: a blood pH of 7.29, a partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2) level of 49 mm Hg, and a bicarbonate ion (HCO3) level of 25 mEq/L. Which condition would the nurse have in mind when developing the patient's plan of care?

Metabolic acidosis.

Metabolic alkalosis.

Respiratory acidosis.

Respiratory alkalosis.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

Choice A rationale:

Metabolic acidosis is characterized by low blood pH and low bicarbonate ion levels. In this case, the patient has a high bicarbonate ion level (25 mEq/L), indicating a compensatory response to respiratory acidosis. Metabolic alkalosis, on the other hand, would present with high pH and high bicarbonate ion levels.

Choice B rationale:

Metabolic alkalosis is characterized by high blood pH and high bicarbonate ion levels. The patient's bicarbonate ion level (25 mEq/L) is within the normal range, and the low pH and high PaCO2 (49 mm Hg) indicate respiratory acidosis, not metabolic alkalosis.

Choice C rationale:

Respiratory acidosis is characterized by low blood pH and high partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2) levels. In this case, the patient has a low pH (7.29) and elevated PaCO2 (49 mm Hg), indicating respiratory acidosis. The elevated bicarbonate ion level (25 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 (49 mm Hg), indicating respiratory acidosis, not alkalosis. The low pH (7.29) further supports the diagnosis of respiratory acidosis.

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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. Palpitations. B. Conjunctival pallor. C. Sternal tenderness. D. Heart rate of 104 beats/min.

Correct Answer is ["B","D"]

Explanation

Choice A rationale:

Palpitations are not directly related to a low hemoglobin level. They can occur due to various cardiac conditions but are not specific to anemia.

Choice B rationale:

Conjunctival pallor is a common physical finding in patients with low hemoglobin levels (anemia) Anemia leads to reduced oxygen-carrying capacity, causing paleness in mucous membranes such as the conjunctiva.

Choice C rationale:

Sternal tenderness is not a typical finding associated with low hemoglobin levels. It is more often associated with conditions affecting the sternum or adjacent structures, such as infections or inflammation.

Choice D rationale:

A heart rate of 104 beats/min can be a compensatory response to anemia. When the body senses reduced oxygen levels due to anemia, the heart rate may increase to pump more blood and oxygen to vital organs, attempting to compensate for the low hemoglobin levels.

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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 finding would the nurse expect to see in a patient with a hemoglobin level of 8 g/dL? Select all that apply.One, some, or all responses may be correct.

Correct Answer is ["B","D"]

Explanation

With which term will the nurse document the finding after noting multiple 1-mm red macules when assessing the skin of a patient with leukemia and thrombocytopenia?

Which finding would the nurse expect to see in a patient with a hemoglobin level of 8 g/dL? Select all that apply.One, some, or all responses may be correct.

The nurse provides education to a patient with thrombocytopenia about precautions to be taken at home. The nurse identifies that further teaching is needed when the patient performs which action?

A patient is diagnosed with primary hypertension and asks the nurse what caused the condition.Which response would the nurse give?

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

The nurse provides education to a patient with thrombocytopenia about precautions to be taken at home. The nurse identifies that further teaching is needed when the patient performs which action?

Which treatment is likely to be planned for a patient who develops pernicious anemia after a gastrectomy?

Which goal is a primary objective for a patient who has chronic heart failure (HF)?