SCI 225 WEEK 1 & 2 QUIZ UPDATED ACTUAL QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS
Question:
1. For a patient experiencing metabolic acidosis, the body will compensate by:
excreting H+ through the kidneys.
hyperventilating.
retaining CO2 in the lungs.
secreting aldosterone.
Answer:
hyperventilating
It is the lungs hyperventilating that would compensate for metabolic acidosis by blowing off CO2, not any
function associated with the kidneys. CO2 retention would increase the acidotic state. Aldosterone would
conserve water but does not help compensate for acidosis.
Question:
2. Which of the following conditions would cause the nurse to monitor for hyperkalemia?
Excess aldosterone
Acute acidosis
Insulin usage
Metabolic alkalosis
Answer:
Acute acidosis
In acidosis, ECF hydrogen ions shift into the cells in exchange for ICF potassium and sodium;
hyperkalemia and acidosis therefore often occur together. Acidosis does not cause excess aldosterone.
Insulin would help treat hyperkalemia, not cause it.Alkalosis does not lead to hyperkalemia.
Question:
3. While planning care for elderly individuals, the nurse remembers the elderly are at a higher risk for
developing dehydration because they have:
a higher total body water volume.
decreased muscle mass.
increased thirst.
an increased tendency toward developing edema.
Answer:
decreased muscle mass.
The elderly are at higher risk for dehydration due to a decrease in muscle mass. The elderly have a
decrease in total body water and thirst. The increased tendency to develop edema is not related to
dehydration.
, Question:
4. A 55-year-old female presents to her primary care provider and reports dizziness, confusion, and
tingling in the extremities. Blood tests reveal an elevated pH, decreased PCO2, and slightly decreased
HCO3. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
Respiratory alkalosis with renal compensation
Respiratory acidosis with renal compensation
Metabolic alkalosis with respiratory compensation
Metabolic acidosis with respiratory compensation
Answer:
Respiratory alkalosis with renal compensation
With an elevated pH, the diagnosis must be alkalosis. Since the PCO2 is low, it is likely respiratory, with a
slight decrease in HCO3 indicating renal compensation.
Question:
5. An experiment was designed to test the effects of the Starling forces on fluid movement. Which of the
following alterations would result in fluid moving into the interstitial space?
Increased capillary oncotic pressure
Increased interstitial hydrostatic pressure
Decreased capillary hydrostatic pressure
Increased interstitial oncotic pressure
Answer:
Increased interstitial oncotic pressure
Increased interstitial oncotic pressure would attract water from the capillary into the interstitial space.
Increased capillary oncotic pressure would attract water from the interstitial space back into the capillary.
Increased interstitial hydrostatic pressure would attract movement of water from the interstitial spaces into
the capillary. Decreased capillary hydrostatic pressure would move water into the capillaries.
Question:
6. A 25-year-old male is diagnosed with a hormone-secreting tumor of the adrenal cortex. Which finding
would the nurse expect to see in the lab results?
Decreased blood volume
Decreased blood K+ levels
Increased urine Na+ levels Increased white blood cells
Answer:
Decreased blood K+ levels
Aldosterone is secreted from the adrenal cortex. It promotes renal sodium and water reabsorption and
excretion of potassium, leading to decreased potassium levels. Blood volume actually increases with
aldosterone secretion. Aldosterone promotes sodium reabsorption, leading to normal or decreased Na+
levels, and is not associated with white blood cells.
Question:
7. Which finding would support the diagnosis of respiratory acidosis?
Vomiting
Hyperventilation
Pneumonia
An increase in noncarbonic acids
AND CORRECT ANSWERS
Question:
1. For a patient experiencing metabolic acidosis, the body will compensate by:
excreting H+ through the kidneys.
hyperventilating.
retaining CO2 in the lungs.
secreting aldosterone.
Answer:
hyperventilating
It is the lungs hyperventilating that would compensate for metabolic acidosis by blowing off CO2, not any
function associated with the kidneys. CO2 retention would increase the acidotic state. Aldosterone would
conserve water but does not help compensate for acidosis.
Question:
2. Which of the following conditions would cause the nurse to monitor for hyperkalemia?
Excess aldosterone
Acute acidosis
Insulin usage
Metabolic alkalosis
Answer:
Acute acidosis
In acidosis, ECF hydrogen ions shift into the cells in exchange for ICF potassium and sodium;
hyperkalemia and acidosis therefore often occur together. Acidosis does not cause excess aldosterone.
Insulin would help treat hyperkalemia, not cause it.Alkalosis does not lead to hyperkalemia.
Question:
3. While planning care for elderly individuals, the nurse remembers the elderly are at a higher risk for
developing dehydration because they have:
a higher total body water volume.
decreased muscle mass.
increased thirst.
an increased tendency toward developing edema.
Answer:
decreased muscle mass.
The elderly are at higher risk for dehydration due to a decrease in muscle mass. The elderly have a
decrease in total body water and thirst. The increased tendency to develop edema is not related to
dehydration.
, Question:
4. A 55-year-old female presents to her primary care provider and reports dizziness, confusion, and
tingling in the extremities. Blood tests reveal an elevated pH, decreased PCO2, and slightly decreased
HCO3. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
Respiratory alkalosis with renal compensation
Respiratory acidosis with renal compensation
Metabolic alkalosis with respiratory compensation
Metabolic acidosis with respiratory compensation
Answer:
Respiratory alkalosis with renal compensation
With an elevated pH, the diagnosis must be alkalosis. Since the PCO2 is low, it is likely respiratory, with a
slight decrease in HCO3 indicating renal compensation.
Question:
5. An experiment was designed to test the effects of the Starling forces on fluid movement. Which of the
following alterations would result in fluid moving into the interstitial space?
Increased capillary oncotic pressure
Increased interstitial hydrostatic pressure
Decreased capillary hydrostatic pressure
Increased interstitial oncotic pressure
Answer:
Increased interstitial oncotic pressure
Increased interstitial oncotic pressure would attract water from the capillary into the interstitial space.
Increased capillary oncotic pressure would attract water from the interstitial space back into the capillary.
Increased interstitial hydrostatic pressure would attract movement of water from the interstitial spaces into
the capillary. Decreased capillary hydrostatic pressure would move water into the capillaries.
Question:
6. A 25-year-old male is diagnosed with a hormone-secreting tumor of the adrenal cortex. Which finding
would the nurse expect to see in the lab results?
Decreased blood volume
Decreased blood K+ levels
Increased urine Na+ levels Increased white blood cells
Answer:
Decreased blood K+ levels
Aldosterone is secreted from the adrenal cortex. It promotes renal sodium and water reabsorption and
excretion of potassium, leading to decreased potassium levels. Blood volume actually increases with
aldosterone secretion. Aldosterone promotes sodium reabsorption, leading to normal or decreased Na+
levels, and is not associated with white blood cells.
Question:
7. Which finding would support the diagnosis of respiratory acidosis?
Vomiting
Hyperventilation
Pneumonia
An increase in noncarbonic acids
