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:

While magnesium is indeed the most abundant intracellular cation in the body, this fact alone does not explain why the nurse would assess the patient's magnesium level.

Choice B rationale:

Magnesium imbalance can cause issues in the extracellular fluid compartment, but this choice does not explain why the nurse would specifically assess the patient's magnesium level.

Choice D rationale:

While hypotension can be a symptom of severe magnesium deficiency, this choice does not provide a rationale for assessing the patient's magnesium level. In this case, choice C is correct because magnesium plays a crucial role in neuromuscular excitability and contractility. Abnormal magnesium levels can lead to neuromuscular symptoms such as muscle weakness, tremors, and spasms. Additionally, magnesium is involved in cardiac muscle function, and low magnesium levels can lead to arrhythmias and other cardiac issues. Therefore, assessing the patient's magnesium level is essential in understanding their neuromuscular and cardiac health.

A. To excrete weak acids. B. To secrete hydrogen ions. C. To convert strong acids to weak acids. D. To convert ammonia to ammonium ions.

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A rationale:

Buffers do not excrete weak acids; instead, they help regulate the pH of bodily fluids by preventing drastic changes in acidity or alkalinity.

Choice B rationale:

Buffers do not secrete hydrogen ions. In fact, buffers can either absorb or release hydrogen ions to maintain a stable pH.

Choice C rationale:

To convert strong acids to weak acids is the correct answer. Buffers are substances that can neutralize both acids and bases, helping to maintain a stable pH in a solution. They achieve this by accepting hydrogen ions from strong acids or donating hydrogen ions to strong bases, converting them into weaker acids or bases, respectively.

Choice D rationale:

Buffers do not convert ammonia to ammonium ions. This conversion is a part of the body's acid-base regulation system, but it is not the primary function of buffers.

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Which rationale supports the nurse's assessment of a patient's magnesium level?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Which phrase describes the function of a buffer?

Correct Answer is C

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?

The nurse provides discharge teaching to a patient with venous leg ulcers.Which statement made by the patient indicates the need for further education?

Which strategy is most important for a nurse to include when planning care for a patient who has neutropenia?

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.

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

Which finding will the nurse expect in a patient who is hospitalized with stage I Hodgkin lymphoma?

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?

Which laboratory report finding would support the nurse's conclusion that a patient has thalassemia major? Select all that apply.One, some, or all responses may be correct.