The nurse is caring for a patient with metabolic acidosis. Which assessment finding reveals that the compensatory mechanism to correct this imbalance is in effect?

Increased urinary output

Reduced abdominal distention

Kussmaul respirations

Decreased blood pressure

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

A. Increased urinary output: Increased urinary output is not a primary compensatory mechanism for metabolic acidosis. The kidneys help compensate by excreting hydrogen ions and reabsorbing bicarbonate, but this does not directly lead to increased urinary output.

B. Reduced abdominal distention: Abdominal distention is unrelated to the compensatory mechanism for metabolic acidosis. The primary compensatory mechanism is respiratory, not gastrointestinal.

C. Kussmaul respirations: Kussmaul respirations are deep, rapid breaths that occur as a compensatory mechanism for metabolic acidosis. The body increases the respiratory rate and depth to expel CO2, which is acidic and raise the blood pH, helping to correct the acid-base imbalance.

D. Decreased blood pressure: Decreased blood pressure can occur in various conditions, including metabolic acidosis, but it is not part of the compensatory mechanism. The body's response to metabolic acidosis is increasing ventilation to expel CO2 and correct the pH imbalance.

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 B

Explanation

A. Client taking furosemide (Lasix): Furosemide is a diuretic that primarily affects urine volume and does not directly increase insensible water loss. Insensible water loss refers to water lost through skin and respiratory routes, not through urination.

B. Anxious client who has tachypnea: Tachypnea, or rapid breathing, increases the rate of water loss through the respiratory system (insensible water loss). When breathing rapidly, the body loses more moisture in the form of vapor, making this client at greatest risk.

C. Client who is on fluid restrictions: Although fluid restrictions limit overall intake, this does not increase the risk for insensible water loss, which occurs primarily through skin and respiratory loss. Fluid restriction impacts overall fluid balance rather than insensible losses.

D. Client who is constipated with abdominal pain: Constipation and abdominal pain may contribute to some discomfort or difficulty with fluid intake, but they are not related to increased insensible water loss.

A. Chronic alcoholism B. Renal failure C. Addison's disease D. Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A. Chronic alcoholism: Chronic alcoholism is strongly associated with decreased magnesium levels. Alcohol can lead to magnesium depletion due to poor dietary intake, increased renal excretion, and impaired magnesium absorption.

B. Renal failure: Renal failure typically leads to an increase in magnesium levels because the kidneys are unable to excrete it effectively. Therefore, renal failure is more commonly associated with hypermagnesemia, not hypomagnesemia.

C. Addison's disease: Addison's disease is primarily related to adrenal insufficiency, affecting sodium, potassium, and cortisol levels, but it does not typically result in decreased magnesium levels. Hypomagnesemia is not a hallmark of Addison's disease.

D. Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus: Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to electrolyte imbalances, including potassium and sodium, but it is not directly linked to magnesium deficiency. Although magnesium loss can occur in DKA, it is not as strongly associated with diabetes as it is with chronic alcoholism.

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

The nurse is caring for a patient with metabolic acidosis. Which assessment finding reveals that the compensatory mechanism to correct this imbalance is in effect?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is assessing clients on a medical-surgical unit. Which adult client should the nurse identify as being at greatest risk for insensible water loss?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Decreased magnesium levels can be associated with which of the following?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

The health care provider asks the nurse to monitor the fluid volume status of a heart failure patient and a patient at risk for clinical dehydration. Which is the most effective nursing intervention for monitoring both of these patients?

The K laboratory report shows a level of 5.2 mEq/L (Normal 3.5-5.0 mEq/L). What is the most important assessment for the nurse to make?

The regulatory system of acid-base balance takes the longest time to respond, and regulates pH of extracellular (ECF) by eliminating hydrogen ions or bicarbonate in body fluids.

The nurse is caring for a patient with metabolic acidosis. Which assessment finding reveals that the compensatory mechanism to correct this imbalance is in effect?

A nurse teaches a client who is at risk for mild hypernatremia. Which statement should the nurse include in this client's teaching?

The nurse is caring for a client with a critically high potassium level (Normal is 3.5-5.0 mEq/L). The client has received sodium polystyrene sulfonate (Kayexalate). The nurse determines the medication's effectiveness if the client's repeat serum potassium level is:

The nurse is assessing a patient and finds crackles in the lung bases and neck vein distention. Which action will the nurse take first?

A nurse is caring for a client who has a serum calcium level of 14 mg/dL (Normal 9.0-10.5 mg/dL). Which provider order should the nurse implement first?