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.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection of the female reproductive organs, such as the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. It is usually caused by sexually transmitted bacteria that ascend from the vagina or cervix to the upper genital tract. PID can cause fever, foul-smelling vaginal discharge, and sudden pelvic pain that may worsen during sexual intercourse or menstruation. PID can also lead to infertility, ectopic pregnancy, or chronic pelvic pain if left untreated.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is a hormonal system that regulates blood pressure and fluid balance. When blood pressure is low, the kidneys secrete renin, which converts angiotensinogen into angiotensin I, which is then converted into angiotensin II by angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE). Angiotensin II is a potent vasoconstrictor that narrows blood vessels and increases blood pressure. It also stimulates the release of aldosterone, which increases sodium and water retention and further raises blood pressure. When the RAS is overactivated, it can lead to a hypertensive crisis, which is a severe elevation of blood pressure that can damage organs and cause stroke, heart attack, or kidney failure.
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