What set of arterial blood gases (ABGs) would you expect to see in a client with acute chest trauma?
pH 7.53, CO2 32, HCO3 24
pH 7.30, CO2 52, HCO3 22
pH 7.49, CO2 30, HCO3 14
pH 7.26, CO2 45, HCO3 18
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A reason: pH 7.53 and low CO2 (32) indicate respiratory alkalosis from hyperventilation, not typical in chest trauma where breathing is impaired. HCO3 (24) is normal, showing no compensation yet, misaligning with trauma physiology.
Choice B reason: pH 7.30, high CO2 (52), and near-normal HCO3 (22) reflect respiratory acidosis from hypoventilation in chest trauma, like rib fractures, reducing air exchange. Compensation is minimal acutely, fitting the clinical scenario.
Choice C reason: pH 7.49 and low CO2 (30) suggest respiratory alkalosis, while low HCO3 (14) indicates metabolic compensation. This doesn’t match chest trauma’s ventilatory restriction, which elevates CO2 instead.
Choice D reason: pH 7.26, CO2 (45), and low HCO3 (18) show mixed acidosis. Chest trauma primarily causes respiratory acidosis from CO2 retention, not a significant metabolic drop acutely, making this less precise.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: Thyroid cancer involves malignant thyroid growth, not a consequence of parathyroid damage during surgery, which affects calcium, not cancer risk.
Choice B reason: Goiter is thyroid enlargement from iodine issues or hyperplasia, unrelated to parathyroid damage, which controls calcium, not thyroid size.
Choice C reason: Graves’ disease, hyperthyroidism, results from autoantibodies, not parathyroid injury, which causes hypocalcemia, not thyroid hormone excess.
Choice D reason: Parathyroid damage reduces PTH, dropping calcium levels, leading to tetany—muscle spasms from hypocalcemia, a direct surgical complication.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: Hydroxychloroquine treats autoimmune diseases like lupus by modulating immunity, not hyperthyroidism’s excess thyroid hormone production, irrelevant here.
Choice B reason: Levothyroxine supplements thyroid hormone in hypothyroidism, worsening this patient’s hyperthyroidism (high T3/T4), contraindicated for her symptoms.
Choice C reason: Potassium iodide inhibits thyroid hormone release, reducing T3 and T4 in hyperthyroidism (e.g., Graves’), addressing her goiter, exophthalmos, and weight loss effectively.
Choice D reason: Methotrexate suppresses immunity in cancer or autoimmunity, not targeting thyroid overactivity or hormone levels, unsuitable for hyperthyroidism management.
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