Name the imbalance using the following Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) values:
pH 7.32, PaCO2 <37, HCO3- <24
Uncompensated metabolic acidosis
Uncompensated respiratory acidosis
Partially compensated respiratory acidosis
Partially compensated metabolic acidosis
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A reason: pH 7.32 (low, acidic), PaCO2 <37 mm Hg (normal/low), and HCO3- <24 mEq/L (low) indicate metabolic acidosis, as low bicarbonate causes acidosis without respiratory compensation (PaCO2 normal). This matches uncompensated metabolic acidosis, often due to conditions like lactic acidosis or diabetic ketoacidosis, making this the correct choice.
Choice B reason: Uncompensated respiratory acidosis involves elevated PaCO2 (>45 mm Hg) causing low pH, with normal HCO3-. Here, PaCO2 is <37 mm Hg (normal/low) and HCO3- is low, pointing to a metabolic, not respiratory, cause of acidosis, making this choice incorrect for the given ABG values.
Choice C reason: Partially compensated respiratory acidosis requires elevated PaCO2 and increased HCO3- as compensation. Here, PaCO2 is <37 mm Hg (normal/low) and HCO3- is low, ruling out respiratory acidosis. The low pH and low HCO3- indicate a metabolic cause, making this choice incorrect.
Choice D reason: Partially compensated metabolic acidosis involves low pH, low HCO3-, and decreased PaCO2 as respiratory compensation. While HCO3- is low, PaCO2 is not significantly reduced to indicate compensation (given as <37 mm Hg, likely normal). This suggests uncompensated metabolic acidosis, making this choice less accurate than A.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["B","C","E"]
Explanation
Choice A reason: Long-term proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use has a weak, controversial association with gastric cancer due to hypergastrinemia, but evidence is inconclusive. In older patients, risks like osteoporosis and nutrient deficiencies are more established and immediate concerns, making this choice less consistently worrisome compared to others.
Choice B reason: PPIs reduce gastric acid, impairing calcium absorption, which increases osteoporosis risk in older patients. Chronic use is linked to decreased bone density and higher fracture risk, particularly in the elderly, due to disrupted mineral homeostasis, making this a significant and correct adverse effect to monitor.
Choice C reason: PPIs inhibit acid production, reducing absorption of vitamin B12, magnesium, and iron, leading to deficiencies in older patients. These can cause anemia, neurological issues, or hypomagnesemia, which are particularly concerning in the elderly due to comorbidities, making this a correct and critical adverse effect.
Choice D reason: Headaches are a possible PPI side effect but are less common and less severe in older patients compared to osteoporosis, nutrient deficiencies, or drug interactions. They don’t pose a significant long-term risk or require specific monitoring, making this choice incorrect for major concerns.
Choice E reason: PPIs interact with drugs like clopidogrel, reducing its efficacy by inhibiting CYP2C19, and affect absorption of drugs requiring acidic environments. In older patients with polypharmacy, these interactions increase risks of adverse outcomes, making this a significant and correct concern for PPI use.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: Respiratory alkalosis involves low PaCO2 (<35 mm Hg) due to hyperventilation, raising pH. Here, pH is 7.31 (acidic), PaCO2 is 41 mm Hg (normal), and HCO3- is 20 mEq/L (low), indicating a metabolic cause, not respiratory, making this choice incorrect.
Choice B reason: Respiratory acidosis requires elevated PaCO2 (>45 mm Hg), lowering pH. With PaCO2 at 41 mm Hg (normal) and low HCO3- (20 mEq/L), the acidosis stems from reduced bicarbonate, not CO2 retention, ruling out respiratory acidosis and making this choice incorrect.
Choice C reason: Metabolic alkalosis involves high HCO3- (>26 mEq/L) and elevated pH. Here, pH is 7.31 (acidic) and HCO3- is 20 mEq/L (low), indicating acidosis, not alkalosis. The low bicarbonate points to a metabolic cause, making this choice incorrect for the ABG values.
Choice D reason: pH 7.31 (acidic), PaCO2 41 mm Hg (normal), and HCO3- 20 mEq/L (low) indicate metabolic acidosis, likely from conditions like diabetic ketoacidosis or lactic acidosis. No respiratory compensation (normal PaCO2) confirms uncompensated metabolic acidosis, making this the correct choice for the imbalance.
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