Exhibits
Based on the client's diagnosis, which results does the nurse expect in the blood gas? Select all that apply
Low partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2)
Low lactic acid
Low pH
Low bicarbonate (HCO3-)
High partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2)
Correct Answer : C,D
A. Low PaO2. Clients with DKA do not typically have significant hypoxemia unless there is concurrent respiratory compromise. The primary issue in DKA is metabolic acidosis rather than oxygenation.
B. Low lactic acid. Lactic acidosis is not a hallmark of DKA. Instead, DKA is characterized by ketone production from fatty acid metabolism. Elevated lactic acid is more common in conditions like sepsis or tissue hypoxia.
C. Low pH. Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) causes metabolic acidosis due to the accumulation of ketone bodies, leading to a pH below 7.35. The absence of insulin results in unregulated lipolysis and ketogenesis, significantly lowering blood pH.
D. Low bicarbonate (HCO3-). In metabolic acidosis, bicarbonate acts as a buffer and gets depleted while neutralizing excess acids. Clients with DKA typically have a bicarbonate level below 18 mEq/L (18 mmol/L), confirming metabolic acidosis.
E. High PaCO2. In metabolic acidosis, respiratory compensation leads to hyperventilation (Kussmaul respirations), causing PaCO2 to decrease as the body attempts to blow off excess CO2 to normalize pH.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Insert a large bore peripheral IV catheter. The client is showing signs of shock (tachycardia, hypotension, tachypnea) likely due to envenomation and systemic venom effects. Rapid IV access is essential for fluid resuscitation, administration of antivenom, and management of shock. A large bore (18-gauge or larger) IV catheter allows for aggressive fluid therapy to maintain perfusion and prevent circulatory collapse.
B. Raise extremity above the heart. Elevating the limb can increase venom circulation, worsening systemic effects. Instead, the affected extremity should be kept at heart level to slow venom spread while ensuring adequate perfusion.
C. Tighten the cloth around the leg. Further tightening the makeshift tourniquet can lead to vascular compromise, ischemia, and increased local tissue damage. Modern guidelines discourage tourniquets as they do not prevent venom spread effectively and may worsen outcomes. The best approach is to loosen or remove restrictive bindings and keep the limb immobilized at heart level.
D. Apply ice over the bite mark. Cold therapy is contraindicated as it can worsen tissue damage by causing vasoconstriction, trapping venom, and increasing necrosis. Instead, the priority is IV access, fluid resuscitation, and preparing for possible antivenom administration.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Decreased cardiac output. Central venous pressure (CVP), also called right atrial pressure (RAP), reflects right ventricular preload and overall fluid status. An increasing CVP indicates fluid overload or impaired right ventricular function, both of which can lead to decreased cardiac output. Conditions such as right heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, or excessive fluid resuscitation can cause elevated CVP, reducing the heart’s ability to pump effectively and leading to poor systemic circulation.
B. Ineffective airway clearance. Airway clearance is not directly related to CVP measurements. While severe pulmonary conditions like ARDS or COPD can contribute to cardiac strain and right heart failure, the primary mechanism for rising CVP is cardiac dysfunction or fluid overload, not airway obstruction.
C. Ineffective peripheral tissue perfusion. Although decreased cardiac output can impair tissue perfusion, this choice is too broad. Increased CVP specifically reflects right-sided heart function and preload, making decreased cardiac output the more precise diagnosis related to the pathophysiologic mechanism.
D. Deficient fluid volume. A low CVP is associated with hypovolemia and fluid deficits, while an increasing CVP suggests fluid overload, heart failure, or venous congestion. Deficient fluid volume would cause a downward trend in CVP, not an increase.
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