The nurse is caring for a patient with respiratory alkalosis. What will the nurse recognize as the potential cause of this acid-base imbalance?
Hypoventilation
Panic attacks
Pneumonia
Congestive heart failure
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A reason: Hypoventilation is not a cause of respiratory alkalosis. Hypoventilation leads to respiratory acidosis due to the retention of carbon dioxide (CO2). Respiratory alkalosis occurs when there is excessive exhalation of CO2, leading to a higher pH (alkaline).
Choice B reason: Panic attacks can cause respiratory alkalosis due to hyperventilation. During a panic attack, a person may breathe rapidly and deeply, leading to excessive loss of CO2. This reduces the CO2 levels in the blood and increases the pH, resulting in respiratory alkalosis.
Choice C reason: Pneumonia is more likely to cause respiratory acidosis or metabolic acidosis rather than respiratory alkalosis. Pneumonia can impair gas exchange, leading to CO2 retention and decreased oxygen levels, which are not typical triggers for respiratory alkalosis.
Choice D reason: Congestive heart failure can lead to respiratory alkalosis, but it is more commonly associated with metabolic acidosis due to poor perfusion and anaerobic metabolism. Hyperventilation in heart failure patients can lead to respiratory alkalosis, but panic attacks are a more direct and common cause.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: Shaking the MDI before use is correct technique as it ensures that the medication is properly mixed.
Choice B reason: Exhaling before using the MDI is proper technique as it prepares the lungs for inhalation of the medication.
Choice C reason: Inspiring rapidly when dispensing the medication is incorrect because it can cause the medication to deposit in the mouth or throat rather than reaching the lungs.
Choice D reason: Holding the breath for 10 seconds after inhaling the medication is correct technique as it allows the medication to settle in the lungs.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: Wheezing is a typical sound heard during bronchoconstriction, which occurs in conditions like asthma and COPD. It indicates that the airways are narrowed, causing the characteristic sound.
Choice B reason: Pulmonary edema typically presents with crackles or rales rather than wheezing. Wheezing would not be the primary indication of this condition.
Choice C reason: Hemoptysis refers to coughing up blood and does not typically present with wheezing. It might present with other sounds if there is an underlying lung issue, but wheezing is not specific to it.
Choice D reason: Pneumothorax generally presents with decreased or absent breath sounds on one side, not wheezing. It occurs when air enters the pleural space, causing lung collapse.
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