The nurse notes that there is a difference in a patient's blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) when the patient changes position from supine to standing. The differences are a decrease of 20 mm Hg in systolic BP, a decrease of 10 mm Hg in diastolic BP, and an increase in the HR of 20 beats/minute.
Which interpretation would the nurse make about the patient's condition?

Hypertensive crisis.

An auscultatory gap.

Resistant hypertension.

Enlarged lymph nodes.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

Choice A rationale:

Hypertensive crisis is characterized by severely elevated blood pressure, usually above 180/120 mm Hg. The given differences in blood pressure (a decrease of 20 mm Hg in systolic BP) do not indicate hypertensive crisis.

Choice B rationale:

An auscultatory gap refers to a temporary disappearance of sounds normally heard over the brachial artery during blood pressure measurement. This phenomenon can lead to inaccurate readings and might cause a delay in recognizing the true blood pressure values. In this case, the decrease in systolic BP when changing positions indicates the presence of an auscultatory gap, requiring the nurse to be vigilant during blood pressure measurements.

Choice C rationale:

Resistant hypertension is a term used when blood pressure remains above goal despite concurrent use of three antihypertensive agents of different classes. The given scenario does not indicate resistant hypertension but rather suggests a technical issue during blood pressure measurement due to the auscultatory gap.

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 C

Explanation

Choice A rationale:

Buffers do not excrete weak acids; instead, they help regulate the pH of bodily fluids by preventing drastic changes in acidity or alkalinity.

Choice B rationale:

Buffers do not secrete hydrogen ions. In fact, buffers can either absorb or release hydrogen ions to maintain a stable pH.

Choice C rationale:

To convert strong acids to weak acids is the correct answer. Buffers are substances that can neutralize both acids and bases, helping to maintain a stable pH in a solution. They achieve this by accepting hydrogen ions from strong acids or donating hydrogen ions to strong bases, converting them into weaker acids or bases, respectively.

Choice D rationale:

Buffers do not convert ammonia to ammonium ions. This conversion is a part of the body's acid-base regulation system, but it is not the primary function of buffers.

A. Sodium level of 136 mEq/L, potassium level of 4.5 mEq/L. B. Sodium level of 145 mEq/L, potassium level of 4.8 mEq/L. C. Sodium level of 135 mEq/L, potassium level of 3.6 mEq/L. D. Sodium level of 144 mEq/L, potassium level of 3.7 mEq/L.

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A rationale:

The sodium level is within the normal range, but the potassium level is slightly elevated. This does not support the rationale for changing the IV prescription to a lower potassium concentration.

Choice B rationale:

The sodium level is slightly elevated, and the potassium level is within the normal range. This does not support the rationale for changing the IV prescription to a lower potassium concentration.

Choice C rationale:

Sodium level of 135 mEq/L, potassium level of 3.6 mEq/L is the correct answer. In this option, both sodium and potassium levels are within normal ranges. Changing the IV prescription to DSNS with 20 mEq KCl/L ensures that the patient receives adequate hydration (from the dextrose and normal saline) without causing hyperkalemia.

Choice D rationale:

The sodium level is slightly elevated, and the potassium level is within the normal range. This does not support the rationale for changing the IV prescription to a lower potassium concentration.

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

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Which phrase describes the function of a buffer?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

The nurse receives a health care provider's prescription to change a patient's IV from D5. half-normal saline with 40 mEq KCl/L to DSNS with 20 mEq KCl/L. Which set of serum laboratory values supports the rationale for this IV prescription change?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A patient's arterial blood gas (ABG) results include a pH of 7.32, a PaCO2 of 56 mm Hg, and an HCO3 of 24 mEq/L. Which acid-base imbalance would the nurse use when developing the patient's plan of care?

A female patient with chronic hypertension is admitted to the emergency department with a sudden rise in blood pressure (BP) Which question is the priority for the nurse to ask the patient?

Which information would the nurse include when discussing pain due to chronic stable angina with the patient?

Which erythrocyte characteristic would the nurse expect to see in the laboratory findings for a patient who has experienced acute blood loss?

The nurse notes that a patient has a smooth and shiny tongue surface.The nurse would attribute these findings to which condition?

Which arterial blood gas (ABG) data corresponds with a patient's clinical manifestations of respiratory alkalosis?

Which finding will the nurse expect in a patient who is hospitalized with stage I Hodgkin lymphoma?

Which role is attributed to the base in the acid-base balance?