What is the most common cause of hypoxemia?
Ventilation-perfusion mismatch
Hyperventilation with hypocapnia
Reduced diffusion distance
Shunting
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A reason: Ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) mismatch, where lung regions receive inadequate ventilation or perfusion, is the most common cause of hypoxemia. Conditions like pneumonia or pulmonary embolism disrupt this balance, reducing oxygen exchange, making this the primary cause in clinical settings.
Choice B reason: Hyperventilation with hypocapnia lowers carbon dioxide but does not typically cause hypoxemia, as oxygen levels are usually maintained or increased. It affects acid-base balance more than oxygenation, making this an incorrect primary cause of low oxygen levels.
Choice C reason: Reduced diffusion distance is not a cause but a facilitator of gas exchange. Impaired diffusion (e.g., pulmonary edema) can contribute to hypoxemia, but V/Q mismatch is more prevalent across conditions, making this less common as a primary cause.
Choice D reason: Shunting, where blood bypasses ventilated alveoli, causes hypoxemia but is less common than V/Q mismatch. It occurs in specific conditions like congenital heart defects or ARDS, but V/Q mismatch predominates in most respiratory disorders, making this incorrect.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: Absence seizures involve brief staring spells, not continuous tonic-clonic movements. The patient’s prolonged, unresponsive seizure activity indicates status epilepticus, so this is incorrect for the seizure type.
Choice B reason: Status epilepticus is continuous or recurrent seizures lasting over 5 minutes, often tonic-clonic, with unresponsiveness, tachycardia, and hypertension. This matches the patient’s presentation, making it the correct type.
Choice C reason: Myoclonic seizures cause brief muscle jerks, not prolonged tonic-clonic activity. Status epilepticus describes the continuous seizure state, so this is incorrect for the observed seizure.
Choice D reason: Tonic-clonic seizure is a single event, but continuous activity suggests status epilepticus. The prolonged duration and unresponsiveness point to status, so this is incorrect.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: Weight loss occurs in both DKA and HHNS due to prolonged hyperglycemia and fluid loss. Kussmaul respirations are specific to DKA’s acidosis, so this is incorrect for DKA-only.
Choice B reason: Kussmaul respirations, rapid and deep breathing, are unique to DKA, compensating for metabolic acidosis from ketones. HHNS lacks significant acidosis, making this the correct DKA-specific manifestation.
Choice C reason: Increased serum glucose is common to both DKA and HHNS, as both involve severe hyperglycemia. Kussmaul respirations are DKA-specific, so this is incorrect.
Choice D reason: Fluid loss occurs in both DKA and HHNS due to osmotic diuresis. Kussmaul respirations are exclusive to DKA’s acidotic state, so this is incorrect.
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