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 C
Explanation
Diabetes insipidus is a disorder that causes the kidneys to produce large amounts of dilute urine, resulting in dehydration and thirst. Diabetes insipidus is not related to diabetes mellitus, which affects blood glucose levels. Therefore, diabetes insipidus does not affect serum glucose levels, which are expected to be normal.
However, diabetes insipidus can affect serum sodium levels, which are a measure of the concentration of salt in the blood. Due to the loss of water from the body, serum sodium levels can become high (hypernatremia) in diabetes insipidus. However, if the patient drinks enough fluids to compensate for the urine output, serum sodium levels can remain normal.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Cellulitis is a bacterial infection of the deep layers of the skin and subcutaneous tissue that causes redness, swelling, warmth, and pain in the affected area. It can occur as a complication of a lymphatic blockage because lymphedema (swelling due to impaired lymphatic drainage) can impair the skin's barrier function and make it more susceptible to infection.
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