NUR 326 Adult Health Exam 1 2026 | UAB | Most Tested
Questions & Verified Answers | Graded A+
1. If George Kent's condition worsens and his pH drops to 7.2 with a PaCO2 of
75 mm Hg, what would be the most likely interpretation of these arterial
blood gas results?
Metabolic Acidosis
Respiratory Alkalosis
Worsening Respiratory Acidosis
Metabolic Alkalosis
2. Describe the role of sodium bicarbonate in the management of metabolic
acidosis.
Sodium bicarbonate enhances protein synthesis in muscle tissues.
Sodium bicarbonate increases the production of insulin in the
pancreas.
Sodium bicarbonate helps to neutralize excess acid in the
bloodstream, thereby correcting the acid-base imbalance.
Sodium bicarbonate promotes the excretion of potassium in the
kidneys.
3. A nurse is caring for a bedridden patient with right-sided heart failure who
develops sacral edema. What nursing intervention should be prioritized to
manage this condition?
Administer insulin to manage blood sugar levels.
Elevate the patient's legs to promote venous return.
Monitor renal function tests for signs of renal failure.
, Encourage deep breathing exercises to prevent pulmonary emboli.
4. What is the primary acid-base imbalance associated with depressed
ventilation?
Metabolic Alkalosis
Respiratory Alkalosis
Respiratory Acidosis
Metabolic Acidosis
5. A client with heart failure is advised to limit sodium intake but needs to
increase potassium. Which of the following meal options would best meet
these dietary needs?
1 medium baked potato with steamed broccoli
1 slice of pizza with a side salad
1 large scrambled egg with toast
1 medium apple with a handful of nuts
6. Why is it important for a nurse to allow continued hyperventilation in a
patient recovering from ketoacidosis?
It is necessary to maintain oxygen saturation levels.
Continued hyperventilation helps to correct the metabolic acidosis
by expelling carbon dioxide.
Allowing hyperventilation prevents the patient from feeling anxious.
Hyperventilation is a sign of pain that needs to be addressed.
7. What is the primary acid-base imbalance associated with aspirin overdose?
Respiratory Acidosis
, Respiratory Alkalosis
Metabolic Alkalosis
Metabolic Acidosis
8. A nurse is assessing a patient with suspected hyperglycemic hyperosmolar
state (HHS). If the lab results show a serum osmolarity of 360 mOsm/L, what
nursing intervention should be prioritized?
Initiate insulin therapy immediately.
Monitor blood glucose levels every hour only.
Administer intravenous fluids to rehydrate the patient.
Prepare the patient for dialysis.
9. A patient presents with signs of dehydration and has been vomiting for 24
hours. What nursing intervention should be prioritized to address the
expected acid-base imbalance?
Provide antacids to neutralize gastric acid and prevent further
vomiting.
Administer intravenous fluids with electrolytes to correct metabolic
alkalosis.
Encourage the patient to consume high-protein foods to restore acid-
base balance.
Monitor the patient's respiratory rate for signs of respiratory acidosis.
10. A patient presents with severe vomiting and a potassium level of 2.5 mEq.
What immediate nursing intervention should be prioritized to prevent
complications related to acid-base imbalance?
Administer potassium replacement therapy.
Questions & Verified Answers | Graded A+
1. If George Kent's condition worsens and his pH drops to 7.2 with a PaCO2 of
75 mm Hg, what would be the most likely interpretation of these arterial
blood gas results?
Metabolic Acidosis
Respiratory Alkalosis
Worsening Respiratory Acidosis
Metabolic Alkalosis
2. Describe the role of sodium bicarbonate in the management of metabolic
acidosis.
Sodium bicarbonate enhances protein synthesis in muscle tissues.
Sodium bicarbonate increases the production of insulin in the
pancreas.
Sodium bicarbonate helps to neutralize excess acid in the
bloodstream, thereby correcting the acid-base imbalance.
Sodium bicarbonate promotes the excretion of potassium in the
kidneys.
3. A nurse is caring for a bedridden patient with right-sided heart failure who
develops sacral edema. What nursing intervention should be prioritized to
manage this condition?
Administer insulin to manage blood sugar levels.
Elevate the patient's legs to promote venous return.
Monitor renal function tests for signs of renal failure.
, Encourage deep breathing exercises to prevent pulmonary emboli.
4. What is the primary acid-base imbalance associated with depressed
ventilation?
Metabolic Alkalosis
Respiratory Alkalosis
Respiratory Acidosis
Metabolic Acidosis
5. A client with heart failure is advised to limit sodium intake but needs to
increase potassium. Which of the following meal options would best meet
these dietary needs?
1 medium baked potato with steamed broccoli
1 slice of pizza with a side salad
1 large scrambled egg with toast
1 medium apple with a handful of nuts
6. Why is it important for a nurse to allow continued hyperventilation in a
patient recovering from ketoacidosis?
It is necessary to maintain oxygen saturation levels.
Continued hyperventilation helps to correct the metabolic acidosis
by expelling carbon dioxide.
Allowing hyperventilation prevents the patient from feeling anxious.
Hyperventilation is a sign of pain that needs to be addressed.
7. What is the primary acid-base imbalance associated with aspirin overdose?
Respiratory Acidosis
, Respiratory Alkalosis
Metabolic Alkalosis
Metabolic Acidosis
8. A nurse is assessing a patient with suspected hyperglycemic hyperosmolar
state (HHS). If the lab results show a serum osmolarity of 360 mOsm/L, what
nursing intervention should be prioritized?
Initiate insulin therapy immediately.
Monitor blood glucose levels every hour only.
Administer intravenous fluids to rehydrate the patient.
Prepare the patient for dialysis.
9. A patient presents with signs of dehydration and has been vomiting for 24
hours. What nursing intervention should be prioritized to address the
expected acid-base imbalance?
Provide antacids to neutralize gastric acid and prevent further
vomiting.
Administer intravenous fluids with electrolytes to correct metabolic
alkalosis.
Encourage the patient to consume high-protein foods to restore acid-
base balance.
Monitor the patient's respiratory rate for signs of respiratory acidosis.
10. A patient presents with severe vomiting and a potassium level of 2.5 mEq.
What immediate nursing intervention should be prioritized to prevent
complications related to acid-base imbalance?
Administer potassium replacement therapy.
