Deck 9: Acid-Base Balance

Question 1

The nurse is providing care for a patient admitted to the unit with respiratory failure and respiratory acidosis.Which data from the nursing history is the probable cause for the patient's current diagnoses?

A) Aspiration pneumonia
B) A recent trip to South America
C) Recent recovery from a cold virus
D) Use of ibuprofen for the control of pain

Answer 1

Aspiration pneumonia

Question 2

A patient with metabolic acidosis has been admitted to the unit from the emergency department (ED).The patient is experiencing confusion and weakness.Which independent nursing intervention is the priority?

A) Protecting the patient from injury
B) Placing the patient in a high-Fowler's position
C) Administering sodium bicarbonate to the patient
D) Providing the patient with appropriate skin care

Answer 2

Protecting the patient from injury

Question 3

The nurse is reviewing new orders provided by the health-care provider for a critical care patient with metabolic acidosis.Which prescription should the nurse question?

A) Draw serum potassium levels every two hours.
B) Draw arterial blood gas samples every two hours.
C) Administer one ampule of sodium bicarbonate now.
D) Begin intravenous infusion of 0.9% normal saline.

Answer 3

Administer one ampule of sodium bicarbonate now.

Question 4

Which clinical manifestation supports the nurse's plan of care focusing on chronic respiratory acidosis?

A) Irritability
B) Blurred vision
C) Daytime sleepiness
D) Warm,flushed skin

Question 5

The nurse is providing care to patient with the following laboratory values: pH - 7.31;PaCO₂ - 48 mmHg;and a normal HCO₃.Which condition should the nurse plan care for based on the current data?

A) Metabolic acidosis
B) Metabolic alkalosis
C) Respiratory acidosis
D) Respiratory alkalosis

Question 6

Which is the priority nursing action when providing care to a patient who is admitted with metabolic alkalosis?

A) Monitoring oxygen saturation
B) Setting goals for the plan of care
C) Administering prescribed medications
D) Teaching the family about risk factors

Question 7

Which patient statement indicates the need for additional education regarding the use of sodium bicarbonate to treat acidosis?

A) "I need to purchase antacids without salt."
B) "I should use the antacid for at least 2 months."
C) "I should contact the doctor if I have any gastric discomfort with chest pain."
D) "I should call the doctor if I get short of breath or start to sweat with this medication."

Question 8

A patient is admitted to the emergency department for the treatment of a drug overdose causing acute respiratory acidosis.Which substance noted on the toxicology report is the most likely cause for the current diagnosis?

A) PCP
B) Cocaine
C) Marijuana
D) Oxycodone

Question 9

The nurse is caring for a comatose patient with respiratory acidosis.For which intervention will the nurse need to collaborate when caring for this patient?

A) Monitoring vital signs
B) Measuring intake and output
C) Determining recent eating behaviors
D) Identifying current oxygen saturation level

Question 10

Which chronic lung condition noted in the patient's health history supports the current diagnosis of respiratory acidosis?

A) Aspiration
B) Pneumonia
C) Cystic fibrosis
D) Hyperthyroidism

Question 11

The nurse is analyzing the patient's arterial blood gas report,which reveals a pH of 7.15.The patient has just suffered a cardiac arrest.Which consequences of this pH value does the nurse consider for this patient?

A) Decreased cardiac output
B) Decreased potassium levels
C) Increased magnesium levels
D) Decreased free calcium in the ECF

Question 12

Which diagnostic test should the nurse anticipate when providing care to a patient diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)to monitor acid-base balance?

A) Pulse oximetry
B) Bronchoscopy
C) Sputum studies
D) Arterial blood gases

Question 13

The nurse is planning care for an older adult patient with respiratory acidosis.Which intervention should the nurse include in this patient's plan of care?

A) Maintain adequate hydration.
B) Reduce environmental stimuli.
C) Administer intravenous sodium bicarbonate.
D) Administer prescribed intravenous fluids carefully.

Question 14

The results of a patient's arterial blood gas sample indicate an oxygen level of 72 mmHg.Which should the nurse closely assess when providing care to this patient?

A) Perfusion
B) Cognition
C) Communication
D) Fluid and electrolytes

Question 15

The nurse is reviewing the latest arterial blood gas results for a patient with metabolic alkalosis.Which result indicates that the metabolic alkalosis is compensated?

A) pH 7.32
B) HCO₃ 8 mEq/L
C) PaCO₂ 48 mmHg
D) PaCO₂ 18 mmHg

Question 16

The nurse is caring for a patient admitted with renal failure and metabolic acidosis.Which clinical manifestation would indicate to the nurse that planned interventions to relieve the metabolic acidosis have been effective?

A) Tachypnea
B) Palpitations
C) Increased deep tendon reflexes
D) Decreased depth of respirations

Question 17

The nurse is providing care for an adult patient who is admitted to the emergency department (ED)after passing out.The patient has been fasting and currently has ketones in the urine.Which acid-based imbalance should the nurse monitor the patient for based on the current data?

A) Metabolic acidosis
B) Metabolic alkalosis
C) Respiratory acidosis
D) Respiratory alkalosis

Question 18

The nurse is providing care to a patient who is admitted after a morphine overdose.Which acid-base imbalance should the nurse plan this patient's care to reflect?

A) Metabolic acidosis
B) Metabolic alkalosis
C) Respiratory acidosis
D) Respiratory alkalosis

Question 19

The patient is receiving sodium bicarbonate intravenously (IV)for correction of acidosis secondary to diabetic coma.The nurse assesses the patient to be lethargic,confused,and breathing rapidly.Which is the nurse's priority response to the current situation?

A) Stop the infusion and notify the provider because the patient is in alkalosis.
B) Increase the rate of the infusion and continue to assess the patient for symptoms of acidosis.
C) Decrease the rate of the infusion and continue to assess the patient for symptoms of alkalosis.
D) Continue the infusion,because the patient is still in acidosis,and notify the provider.

Question 20

The nurse is providing care to a patient who has been vomiting for several days.The nurse knows that the patient is at risk for metabolic alkalosis because gastric secretions have which characteristic?

A) Gastric secretions are acidic.
B) Gastric secretions are alkaline.
C) Gastric secretions have a foul smell.
D) Gastric secretions are green in color.

Question 21

The client is admitted to the emergency department (ED)with symptoms of a panic attack.Based on this data,the nurse plans care for which health problem?

A) Emesis
B) Memory loss
C) Hypoventilation
D) Respiratory alkalosis

Question 22

The nurse is reviewing the health-care provider orders for a patient who is diagnosed with respiratory alkalosis.Which prescription is appropriate for this patient's care needs?

A) Draw arterial blood gas analysis.
B) Administer oxygen via face mask.
C) Restrict fluids to two liters per day.
D) Infuse one ampule of sodium bicarbonate.

Question 23

The nurse is providing care to a patient who is admitted to the hospital with sudden,severe abdominal pain.Which arterial blood gas supports the patient's current diagnosis of respiratory alkalosis?

A) pH is 7.35 and PaO₂ is 88.
B) pH is 7.30 and HCO₃ is 30.
C) pH is 7.47 and PaCO₂ is 25.
D) pH is 7.33 and PaCO₂ is 36.

Question 24

The nurse is providing care to a patient who is intubated and receiving mechanical ventilation after a motor vehicle crash.The patient is fighting the ventilator and attempting to remove the endotracheal tube.Which nursing action decreases the patient's risk for developing respiratory alkalosis?

A) Apply wrist restraints.
B) Administer a prescribed sedative.
C) Teach the patient to take slow,deep breaths.
D) Discuss removing the endotracheal tube with the health-care provider.

Question 25

The nurse completes discharge teaching for a patient with an anxiety disorder.Which patient statement indicates correct understanding of information related to respiratory alkalosis?

A) "I will eat more bananas at breakfast."
B) "I will see my counselor on a regular basis."
C) "I will not take antacids when I have heartburn."
D) "I will breathe faster when I am feeling anxious."