The nurse is caring for a client experiencing respiratory alkalosis. Which of these conditions is a causative agent?
pneumonia
brain injury
anxiety
emphysema
The Correct Answer is C
Rationale:
A. Pneumonia typically causes respiratory acidosis due to impaired gas exchange and CO₂ retention.
B. Brain injuries can affect respiratory patterns, but they are not the most common or direct cause of respiratory alkalosis.
C. Anxiety often leads to hyperventilation, which causes excessive loss of CO₂, resulting in respiratory alkalosis.
D. Emphysema is associated with CO₂ retention, leading to respiratory acidosis, not alkalosis.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Rationale:
A. pH: 7.48 is elevated (normal: 7.35–7.45). This indicates alkalosis. pCO₂: 42 mm Hg is normal (normal: 35–45 mm Hg). HCO₃⁻: 32 mEq/L is elevated (normal: 22–26 mEq/L) hence pointing towards a primary metabolic cause. Since the pH is high and the HCO₃⁻ is also high, with a normal pCO₂, this is clearly a case of metabolic alkalosis.
B. Respiratory acidosis would have low pH and high pCO₂.
C. Metabolic acidosis would have low pH and low HCO₃⁻.
D. Respiratory alkalosis would have high pH and low pCO.
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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