What arterial blood gas result is expected when a person experiences prolonged nasogastric suctioning?
pH 7.50, PaCO2 44 mm Hg, HCO3 28 mEq/L
pH 7.34, PaCO2 45 mm Hg, HCO3 21 mEq/L
pH 7.32, PaCO2 49 mm Hg, HCO3 26 mEq/L
pH 7.46, PaCO2 29 mm Hg, HCO3 25 mEq/L
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A reason: Prolonged nasogastric suctioning removes gastric acid (HCl), reducing hydrogen ions in the blood, leading to metabolic alkalosis. This is reflected by elevated pH (7.50) and increased HCO3 (28 mEq/L), with normal PaCO2 as the lungs have not yet compensated. This matches the expected acid-base imbalance, making it correct.
Choice B reason: This result shows a slightly acidic pH (7.34) with normal PaCO2 and low HCO3, suggesting metabolic acidosis. Nasogastric suctioning causes loss of acid, not base, so it does not lead to acidosis. This imbalance is inconsistent with the alkalosis expected from gastric acid loss, making it incorrect.
Choice C reason: This result indicates a low pH (7.32) and elevated PaCO2, suggesting respiratory acidosis with partial compensation (normal HCO3). Nasogastric suctioning affects gastric acid, causing metabolic, not respiratory, alkalosis. The respiratory parameters here do not align with the condition’s pathophysiology, making this choice incorrect.
Choice D reason: This result shows an elevated pH (7.46) and low PaCO2, indicating respiratory alkalosis, likely from hyperventilation, with normal HCO3. Nasogastric suctioning causes metabolic alkalosis due to acid loss, not respiratory changes. The low PaCO2 does not fit the expected metabolic profile, making this choice incorrect.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: Acidosis does not enhance gastrointestinal potassium absorption. Hyperkalemia in acidosis results from cellular shifts, not increased absorption, as hydrogen ions affect potassium movement, making this choice incorrect.
Choice B reason: Acidosis does not increase renal potassium excretion; it causes hyperkalemia by shifting potassium out of cells. Hypokalemia may occur in alkalosis, not acidosis, making this choice incorrect.
Choice C reason: Acidosis causes hyperkalemia as excess hydrogen ions enter cells to buffer pH, displacing potassium into the bloodstream. This cellular shift elevates serum potassium, making this the correct choice.
Choice D reason: Acidosis promotes potassium release from cells, not uptake, causing hyperkalemia. Hypokalemia occurs in alkalosis, where potassium enters cells, making this choice incorrect for acidosis effects.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: A metabolic deficit of dystrophin causing muscle cell necrosis describes muscular dystrophy, not osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis involves joint cartilage degradation, not muscle pathology. Dystrophin deficiency affects muscle fiber integrity, unrelated to the joint-specific degenerative process of osteoarthritis, making this choice incorrect.
Choice B reason: Bone infection, or osteomyelitis, is caused by bacteria or fungi, leading to bone destruction. Osteoarthritis is a non-infectious degenerative condition affecting cartilage and subchondral bone due to mechanical stress and aging, not infection, making this choice incorrect for osteoarthritis’s pathophysiology.
Choice C reason: Loss of bone matrix causing fragile bones describes osteoporosis, not osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis primarily involves cartilage breakdown and joint inflammation, with secondary bone changes like osteophytes, not systemic bone density loss, making this choice incorrect for the joint-focused pathology.
Choice D reason: Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease characterized by progressive cartilage loss due to mechanical stress, inflammation, and aging. This leads to joint pain, stiffness, and bone remodeling, such as osteophyte formation, accurately describing the pathophysiology and making this the correct choice.
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