The nurse is aware that the compensating mechanism, that is most likely to occur in the presence of respiratory acidosis is:
Retention of HCO3 by the kidneys to increase the pH level
Hypoventilation to increase the CO2 levels
Excretion of HCO3 by the kidneys to decrease the pH level
Hyperventiliation to decrease the CO2 levels
The Correct Answer is A
Rationale:
A. In respiratory acidosis, CO₂ accumulates in the blood due to hypoventilation, lowering the pH. The kidneys compensate by retaining HCO₃ (bicarbonate), which helps buffer excess hydrogen ions and raise the pH toward normal.
B. Hypoventilation causes or worsens respiratory acidosis by increasing CO₂ levels, so it is not a compensatory response.
C. Excreting HCO₃ would lower the pH further and worsen the acidosis, so this is incorrect.
D. Hyperventilation helps reduce CO₂ levels but is a respiratory response, not a renal compensatory mechanism. Compensation for respiratory acidosis primarily occurs via the kidneys, not the lungs.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Rationale:
A. Chloride levels often decrease along with sodium, as they are closely related electrolytes. Hyponatremia is commonly accompanied by hypochloremia.
B. Calcium levels are regulated independently of sodium and are not typically affected by hyponatremia.
C. Potassium may be normal, low, or even high depending on the underlying cause; it is not consistently low with hyponatremia.
D. Magnesium levels do not typically mirror sodium levels and are regulated separately.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Rationale:
A. Diarrhea causes loss of bicarbonate (HCO₃⁻) from the intestines, leading to metabolic acidosis. This is a common non-anion gap cause of metabolic acidosis.
B. While salicylate intoxication can initially cause respiratory alkalosis, it may later lead to mixed acid-base disturbances, including metabolic acidosis. However, it is not the most direct or common cause in this context.
C. Hyperventilation causes respiratory alkalosis, not metabolic acidosis, due to excessive loss of CO₂.
D. Vomiting leads to loss of gastric acid (HCl), which typically results in metabolic alkalosis, not acidosis
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