What is the priority intervention for a patient experiencing respiratory acidosis?
Administer sodium bicarbonate
Increase ventilatory support
Administer supplemental oxygen
Encourage deep breathing exercises
The Correct Answer is B
Rationale:
A. Sodium bicarbonate is not the first-line treatment for respiratory acidosis. It is rarely used because the underlying issue is inadequate ventilation, not metabolic imbalance.
B. Increasing ventilatory support is the priority intervention. Respiratory acidosis results from hypoventilation and CO₂ retention, so improving ventilation (e.g., mechanical ventilation, noninvasive positive pressure ventilation, or adjusting ventilator settings) directly corrects the problem.
C. Supplemental oxygen may be necessary if hypoxemia is present, but oxygen alone will not correct CO₂ retention and could worsen hypercapnia in COPD patients if overused.
D. Deep breathing exercises can help in mild cases but are insufficient for acute or severe respiratory acidosis, where immediate ventilatory support is needed.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["A","B","C","D"]
Explanation
Rationale:
A. Chronic cough is a hallmark symptom of COPD due to chronic airway inflammation.
B. Sputum production commonly accompanies the chronic cough as a result of excessive mucus from airway irritation.
C. Dyspnea (shortness of breath) is a classic and progressive symptom of COPD caused by airflow limitation and decreased gas exchange.
D.Crackles can be present in COPD due to small airway collapse or secretions in the alveoli. They are not as prominent as in pneumonia or heart failure but may still be auscultated, especially during exacerbations.
E. Hypotension is not a common manifestation of COPD; blood pressure may be normal or elevated due to comorbidities.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Rationale:
A. Standard precautions are appropriate because coccidioidomycosis (Valley Fever) is not transmitted from person to person. Infection occurs through inhalation of spores from disturbed soil, so routine care requires standard precautions.
B. Airborne precautions and a negative pressure room are not necessary because the infection is not contagious between humans.
C. Educating the patient about preventing soil disturbance is important for prevention in the community but is not the immediate infection control measure for hospital staff.
D. Negative pressure rooms are only required for airborne pathogens that pose a risk of human-to-human transmission, which does not apply to coccidioidomycosis.
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