Ricky’s grandmother has been suffering from persistent vomiting for two days now. She appears to be lethargic and weak and has myalgia. She is noted to have dry mucus membranes and her capillary refill takes >4 seconds. She is diagnosed as having gastroenteritis and dehydration. Measurement of arterial blood gas shows pH 7.5, PaO2 85 mm… Read More »
In acid-base balance, the normal plasma PCO2 and bicarbonate levels are disturbed. Match the changes in this parameter with the disorders in the given choices: Increased plasma bicarbonate (HCO3-) A. Metabolic Acidosis B. Respiratory Alkalosis C. Metabolic Alkalosis D. Respiratory Acidosis Correct Answer: C. Metabolic Alkalosis In metabolic… Read More »
Mrs. Johansson, who had undergone surgery in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU), is difficult to arouse two hours following surgery. Nurse Florence in the PACU has been administering Morphine Sulfate intravenously to the client for complaints of post-surgical pain. The client’s respiratory rate is 7 per minute and demonstrates shallow breathing. The patient does not… Read More »
What two organs in the body serve as a compensatory function to maintain acid-base balance? A. Kidneys and Lungs B. Lungs and Spleen C. Heart and Liver D. Gallbladder and Appendix Correct Answer: A. Kidneys and Lungs The carbonic acid concentration is controlled by the amount of… Read More »
Baby Angela was rushed to the Emergency Room following her mother’s complaint that the infant has been irritable, difficult to breastfeed, and has had diarrhea for the past 3 days. The infant’s respiratory rate is elevated and the fontanels are sunken. The Emergency Room physician orders ABGs after assessing the ABCs. The results from the… Read More »
Arterial blood gas (ABG) measurement will give the information needed to determine if the primary disturbance of acid-base balance is respiratory or metabolic in nature. A. True B. False C. Both Carbonic Acid Excess and Deficit Only D. Both Bicarbonate Excess and Deficit Only Correct Answer: A.… Read More »
Mr. Wales, who underwent post-abdominal surgery, has a nasogastric tube. The nurse on duty notes that the nasogastric tube (NGT) is draining a large amount (900 cc in 2 hours) of coffee ground secretions. The client is not oriented to person, place, or time. The nurse contacts the attending physician and STAT ABGs are ordered.… Read More »
The major effect of acidosis is overexcitement of the central nervous system. A. True B. False C. Maybe D. Both Acidosis and Alkalosis result in overexcitement of the central nervous system. Correct Answer: B. False The major effect is a depression of the central nervous system, as… Read More »
Client Z is admitted to the hospital and is to undergo brain surgery. The client is very anxious and scared of the upcoming surgery. He begins to hyperventilate and becomes very dizzy. The client loses consciousness and the STAT ABGs reveal pH 7.61, PaCO2 22 mmHg, and HCO3 25 mEq/L. What is the ABG interpretation based on… Read More »
Alkalosis is characterized by overexcitement of the nervous system. A. True B. False C. The major effect of Alkalosis is a depression of the central nervous system. D. Both Acidosis and Alkalosis result in overexcitement of the central nervous system. Correct Answer: A. True The muscles may… Read More »