If your patient has a higher than normal pH (alkalosis), you would expect to also see:

Low HCO3- and high PaCO2

Low PaCO2 and low HCO3-

Low PaCO2 and high HCO3-

High PaCO2 and high HCO3-

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

Choice A reason: This is incorrect because low HCO3- and high PaCO2 are signs of metabolic acidosis, not alkalosis. Metabolic acidosis is a condition where the blood pH is lower than the normal range of 7.35 to 7.45, due to an excess of acids or a loss of bases in the body.

Choice B reason: This is incorrect because low PaCO2 and low HCO3- are signs of respiratory acidosis, not alkalosis. Respiratory acidosis is a condition where the blood pH is lower than the normal range of 7.35 to 7.45, due to impaired gas exchange or hypoventilation, which causes carbon dioxide to accumulate in the blood.

Choice C reason: This is correct because low PaCO2 and high HCO3- are signs of alkalosis. Alkalosis is a condition where the blood pH is higher than the normal range of 7.35 to 7.45, due to a loss of acids or an excess of bases in the body. There are two types of alkalosis: respiratory and metabolic. Respiratory alkalosis is caused by hyperventilation, which lowers the PaCO2 in the blood. Metabolic alkalosis is caused by vomiting, diuretics, or excessive intake of antacids, which raises the HCO3- in the blood.

Choice D reason: This is incorrect because high PaCO2 and high HCO3- are signs of compensation, not alkalosis. Compensation is a process where the body tries to restore the normal pH by adjusting the levels of PaCO2 and HCO3- in the opposite direction of the primary disorder. For example, if the patient has metabolic alkalosis, the respiratory system will try to compensate by retaining carbon dioxide and lowering the PaCO2. If the patient has respiratory alkalosis, the renal system will try to compensate by excreting bicarbonate and lowering the HCO3-.

Nursing Test Bank

Quiz #1: RN Exams Pharmacology Exams Quiz #2: RN Exams Medical-Surgical Exams Quiz #3: RN Exams Fundamentals Exams Quiz #4: RN Exams Maternal-Newborn Exams Quiz #5: RN Exams Anatomy and Physiology Exams Quiz #6: RN Exams Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Quiz #7: RN Exams Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Quiz #8: RN Exams Community Health Exams Quiz #9: RN Exams Promoting Health across the lifespan Exams Quiz #10: RN Exams Multidimensional care Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Quiz #1: Naxlex RN Comprehensive online practice 2019 B with NGN Quiz #2: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Quiz #3: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Exit Exam A Quiz #4: Naxlex HESI Exit LPN Exam Quiz #5: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor PN 2020 Quiz #6: Naxlex VATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2020 Quiz #8: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 - Exam 1 Quiz #10: Naxlex HESI PN Exit exam Quiz #11: Naxlex HESI PN EXIT Exam 2

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A reason: This is incorrect because sodium level of 145 mEq/L is within the normal range of 135 to 145 mEq/L. Sodium is not directly affected by respiratory alkalosis, but it may be altered by fluid balance or other conditions.

Choice B reason: This is incorrect because magnesium level of 1.3 mEq/L is within the normal range of 1.3 to 2.1 mEq/L. Magnesium is not directly affected by respiratory alkalosis, but it may be altered by renal function or other conditions.

Choice C reason: This is incorrect because phosphorus level of 3.0 mg/dL is within the normal range of 2.5 to 4.5 mg/dL. Phosphorus is not directly affected by respiratory alkalosis, but it may be altered by calcium balance or other conditions.

Choice D reason: This is correct because potassium level of 3.0 mEq/L is below the normal range of 3.5 to 5.0 mEq/L. Potassium is inversely related to hydrogen ions, which are decreased in respiratory alkalosis. As hydrogen ions move out of the cells to buffer the blood, potassium ions move into the cells to maintain electrical neutrality. This causes hypokalemia, or low potassium level.

A. 3.5 to 5.0 mEq/L B. 8.5 to 10.5 mg/dL C. 135 to 145 mEq/L D. 1.8 to 2.6 mEq/L

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A reason: This is correct because 3.5 to 5.0 mEq/L is the normal range of serum potassium level in adults. Potassium is an electrolyte that is important for nerve and muscle function, as well as acid-base balance.

Choice B reason: This is incorrect because 8.5 to 10.5 mg/dL is the normal range of serum calcium level in adults, not potassium. Calcium is an electrolyte that is involved in bone health, muscle contraction, and blood clotting.

Choice C reason: This is incorrect because 135 to 145 mEq/L is the normal range of serum sodium level in adults, not potassium. Sodium is an electrolyte that is essential for fluid balance, nerve transmission, and muscle contraction.

Choice D reason: This is incorrect because 1.8 to 2.6 mEq/L is the normal range of serum magnesium level in adults, not potassium. Magnesium is an electrolyte that is important for muscle and nerve function, as well as enzyme activity.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

If your patient has a higher than normal pH (alkalosis), you would expect to also see:

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

What is the normal range of serum potassium level in adults?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

The nurse is reviewing the health records of assigned clients. The nurse would plan care knowing that which client is at risk for fluid volume deficit?

A client has the following laboratory values: a pH of 7.55, an HCO3 level of 22 mEq/L, and a PaCO2 of 30 mmHg. Which action would the nurse plan to take?

PaCO2 level indicates the effectiveness of:

The nurse points out that electrolytes are essential for health. Nonelectrolytes include:

Which transport mechanism involves cellular energy?

The registered nurse reviews the result of the arterial blood gas values with the licensed practical nurse and tells the LPN that the client has respiratory acidosis. The LPN would expect to note which of the following on the laboratory result report?

Which patient is at the highest risk for dehydration?

An anxious adult patient is experiencing a respiratory rate of 40 breaths/min. The most appropriate intervention that the nurse could do is to instruct the patient to: