A patient's ABG results are: pH 7.50, PCO2 25, HCO3 25, PO2 80. Which finding should the nurse expect as the body compensates for the acid-base imbalance?
The kidneys will excrete more HCO3 into the urine.
The respiratory system will increase RR.
The kidneys will create more HCO3.
The respiratory system will decrease respiratory rate (RR).
The Correct Answer is D
A. While the kidneys do excrete HCO3 to help in metabolic compensation, this process is slower than respiratory compensation.
B. An increase in respiratory rate would further decrease CO2, worsening the alkalosis rather than compensating for it.
C. Creating more HCO3 would not compensate for respiratory alkalosis and would actually increase the pH further.
D. The body will decrease the respiratory rate to retain more CO2, helping to lower the pH and partially correct the alkalosis.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Medications in unstable angina aim to prevent platelet aggregation and thrombus formation, not increase platelet adhesion.
B. Increasing preload would increase cardiac workload, which is counterproductive in managing unstable angina, as the goal is to reduce workload on the heart.
C. Constricting coronary arteries would worsen ischemia and exacerbate unstable angina, not help it.
D. Decreasing afterload (the resistance the heart must pump against) reduces the workload on the heart, helping to improve cardiac output and alleviate ischemia in unstable angina.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Bleeding in the brain could cause neurological symptoms but does not directly correlate with the respiratory acidosis indicated by the ABGs.
B. Anxiety typically leads to respiratory alkalosis due to hyperventilation, which does not align with the results showing acidemia.
C. The ABG results indicate a primary respiratory acidosis (low pH and elevated PCO2), which can occur in kidney failure due to the kidneys' inability to excrete acids and manage bicarbonate, leading to an accumulation of CO2.
D. Extreme vomiting is associated with metabolic alkalosis due to loss of gastric acid, which does not explain the acid-base disturbance presented.
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