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.
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.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Methotrexate is a medication used for cancer and autoimmune diseases. It does not chelate iron and is not used to treat iron overload conditions like hemochromatosis.
Choice B rationale:
Deferoxamine is an iron chelating agent used to treat iron overload conditions like hemochromatosis. It binds to excess iron and promotes its excretion from the body, preventing complications such as organ damage.
Choice C rationale:
Ferrous gluconate is an iron supplement used to treat iron deficiency anemia. It would not be appropriate for a patient with hemochromatosis, a condition characterized by iron overload.
Choice D rationale:
Iron dextran complex is another form of intravenous iron used to treat iron deficiency anemia. It is not indicated for treating iron overload conditions like hemochromatosis.
Correct Answer is ["A","D"]
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Eliminating excess H+ ions (hydrogen ions) is a primary mechanism the kidneys use to buffer acidosis. In acidosis, there is an excess of hydrogen ions in the body, leading to a decrease in pH. The kidneys help regulate the body's pH by excreting hydrogen ions to lower acidity.
Choice B rationale:
Excreting excess water is not a specific acid-base mechanism related to acidosis. While maintaining proper hydration is important for overall health, it does not directly influence the body's acid-base balance in the context of acidosis.
Choice C rationale:
Eliminating excess CO2 is primarily a respiratory mechanism, not a kidney function. CO2 elimination is more related to the lungs' ability to regulate the body's pH by adjusting respiratory rate and depth.
Choice D rationale:
Reabsorbing additional HCO3- ions (bicarbonate ions) is a renal mechanism to buffer acidosis. Bicarbonate ions act as a base and can neutralize excess hydrogen ions, raising the pH of the body fluids.
Choice E rationale:
Reabsorbing additional sodium ions is not a specific acid-base mechanism related to acidosis. While sodium ions are important for various physiological processes, they do not play a direct role in buffering acidosis.
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