An adult patient presents with a complaint of a cough that has lasted for two weeks. The patient has a rapid, shallow respiratory rate of 34 breaths per minute. Auscultation of the lungs reveals bilateral rhonchi in the upper lobes and diminished breath sounds in the bilateral lower lobes. The patient is diagnosed with bilateral pneumonia and respiratory alkalosis. What is the expected arterial blood gas laboratory value for this patient?
pH 7.5 and PaCO2 32 mm Hg
pH 6.5 and PaCO2 40 mm Hg
pH 6.5 and PaCO2 32 mm Hg
pH 7.5 and PaCO2 40 mm Hg
The Correct Answer is A
Respiratory alkalosis is a condition where the blood's pH is elevated due to excessive removal of CO2 from the body. This can occur when the breathing rate is too fast or deep, such as in response to hypoxia, anxiety, fever, or lung disease. When CO2 is removed from the blood, less H2CO3 is formed, which raises the blood's pH by decreasing the concentration of H+ and HCO3- . A normal blood pH is between 7.35 and 7.45, and a normal partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide (PaCO2) is between 35- and 45 mm Hg. Therefore, a patient with respiratory alkalosis would have a higher-than-normal pH and a lower-than-normal PaCO2.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
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Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Parathyroid hormone (PTH) is a hormone produced by the parathyroid glands, which are located behind the thyroid gland in the neck. PTH regulates the calcium levels in the blood by stimulating the release of calcium from the bones, increasing the absorption of calcium from the intestines, and decreasing the excretion of calcium from the kidneys. When the calcium levels in the blood are low, PTH is secreted to raise them back to normal.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Lymphangitis is an inflammation of the lymphatic vessels that occurs when bacteria or other pathogens spread from a site of infection to the lymphatic system. It can cause swollen lymph nodes, fever, chills, muscle aches, and loss of appetite, as well as pain in the affected area, which may be accompanied by red streaks along the course of the inflamed vessels.
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