Nursing Elites

1. You are working on a burns unit, and one of your acutely ill patients is exhibiting signs and symptoms of third spacing. Based on this change in status, you should expect the patient to exhibit signs and symptoms of what imbalance?

• A. Metabolic alkalosis
• B. Hypermagnesemia
• C. Hypercalcemia
• D. Hypovolemia

Correct answer: D

Rationale: When a patient exhibits signs and symptoms of third-spacing, where fluid moves out of the intravascular space but not into the intracellular space, hypovolemia is expected. This leads to a decreased circulating blood volume. Increased calcium and magnesium levels are not typically associated with third-spacing fluid shift. Burns usually result in acidosis rather than alkalosis, making metabolic alkalosis an incorrect choice. Therefore, hypovolemia is the correct answer in this scenario.

2. What percentage of body water can be as high as in a newborn?

• A. 80%.
• B. 70%.
• C. 60%.
• D. 90%.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: 80%. Newborns can have a body water content as high as 80% due to their higher total body water compared to adults. Choice B (70%) is incorrect because newborns typically have a higher body water percentage. Choice C (60%) is also incorrect as it underestimates the body water content in newborns. Choice D (90%) is incorrect as it overestimates the body water percentage in newborns.

3. You are an emergency-room nurse caring for a trauma patient. Your patient has the following arterial blood gas results: pH 7.26, PaCO2 28, HCO3 11 mEq/L. How would you interpret these 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: A low pH indicates acidosis (normal pH is 7.35 to 7.45). The PaCO2 is also low, which causes alkalosis. The bicarbonate is low, which causes acidosis. The pH bicarbonate more closely corresponds with a decrease in pH, making the metabolic component the primary problem. Therefore, the correct interpretation of the arterial blood gas results is metabolic acidosis with a compensatory respiratory alkalosis. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because they do not accurately reflect the primary acid-base disturbance and the compensatory response seen in the given results.

4. Who would have the greatest percentage of body water?

• A. an obese male
• B. a nonobese male
• C. a nonobese female
• D. a newborn

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Newborns have a higher percentage of body water compared to adults due to their higher body fluid content. Factors such as the higher ratio of body surface area to body volume and lower body fat content contribute to this. This is why a newborn would have the greatest percentage of body water. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because obesity and gender do not determine the percentage of body water in individuals. Therefore, the correct answer is a newborn.

5. A nurse evaluates a clients arterial blood gas values (ABGs): pH 7.30, PaO2 86 mm Hg, PaCO2 55 mm Hg, and HCO3 22 mEq/L. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?

• A. Assess the airway.
• B. Administer prescribed bronchodilators.
• C. Provide oxygen.
• D. Administer prescribed mucolytics

Correct answer: A

Rationale:

Similar Questions