Nursing Elites

1. What is the main water-holding force in the blood capillaries?

• A. Capillary blood pressure
• B. Sodium in the blood plasma
• C. Protein in the blood plasma
• D. Chloride in the blood plasma

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Protein in the blood plasma. Plasma proteins, especially albumin, create oncotic pressure, which is the main force responsible for holding water within the blood capillaries. Capillary blood pressure (Choice A) is involved in pushing blood through the capillaries, while sodium and chloride in the blood plasma (Choices B and D) are electrolytes and do not play a significant role in the water-holding force within capillaries.

2. The ICU nurse is caring for a patient who experienced trauma in a workplace accident. The patient is complaining of having trouble breathing with abdominal pain. An ABG reveals the following results: pH 7.28, PaCO2 50 mm Hg, HCO3 23 mEq/L. The nurse should recognize the likelihood of what acidbase disorder?

• A. Respiratory acidosis
• B. Metabolic alkalosis
• C. Respiratory alkalosis
• D. Mixed acidbase disorder

Correct answer: D

Rationale:

3. You are the surgical nurse caring for a 65-year-old female patient who is postoperative day 1 following a thyroidectomy. During your shift assessment, the patient complains of tingling in her lips and fingers. She tells you that she has an intermittent spasm in her wrist and hand and she exhibits increased muscle tone. What electrolyte imbalance should you first suspect?

• A. Hypophosphatemia
• B. Hypocalcemia
• C. Hypermagnesemia
• D. Hyperkalemia

Correct answer: B

Rationale:

4. While assessing clients on a medical-surgical unit, which client is at risk for hypokalemia?

• A. Client with pancreatitis who has continuous nasogastric suctioning
• B. Client who is prescribed an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor
• C. Client in a motor vehicle crash who is receiving 6 units of packed red blood cells
• D. Client with uncontrolled diabetes and a serum pH level of 7.33

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Continuous nasogastric suctioning can lead to hypokalemia due to the loss of gastric contents rich in potassium. Therefore, a client with pancreatitis who has continuous nasogastric suctioning is at risk for hypokalemia. Option B is incorrect because ACE inhibitors may lead to hyperkalemia, not hypokalemia. Option C is incorrect as receiving packed red blood cells can lead to hyperkalemia due to the potassium content in the blood product. Option D is incorrect because a serum pH level of 7.33 indicates acidosis, which is not directly associated with hypokalemia.

5. Your patient has the following arterial blood gas results: pH 7.26, PaCO2 28, HCO3 11 mEq/L. How would the nurse interpret the results?

• A. Respiratory acidosis with no compensation
• B. Metabolic alkalosis with a compensatory alkalosis
• C. Metabolic acidosis with no compensation
• D. Metabolic acidosis with a compensatory respiratory alkalosis

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The given arterial blood gas results show a low pH, indicating acidosis, with normal pH range being 7.35 to 7.45. The low PaCO2 suggests alkalosis, while the low bicarb level indicates acidosis. In this scenario, the primary issue is the metabolic acidosis, as the pH bicarb relationship supports this. The compensatory response to metabolic acidosis is a decrease in PaCO2, leading to a respiratory alkalosis. Therefore, the correct interpretation is 'Metabolic acidosis with a compensatory respiratory alkalosis.' Choices A, B, and C are incorrect as they do not accurately reflect the relationship between the pH, PaCO2, and HCO3 levels in the arterial blood gas results provided.

Similar Questions