NUR 2243 Module 1 EAQs
1. When evaluating the laboratory results of a patient with diabetic ketoacidosis , which lab
value indicates the body has fully compensated from this acid-base imbalance?
Answer
Normal pH on arterial blood gases
2. What is one of the causes of acidosis?
Answer
Kidney failure
3. Lab results for a 62-year-old patient show the following results
Answer
pH 7.48; bicarbonate 26; PaO 2 90; PaCO 2 32.These findings are consistent with which acid-
base imbalance?
respiratory alkalosis
4. To decrease the risk of acid-base imbalance, what goal must the patient with diabetes mellitus
strive for?
Answer
Maintaining blood glucose level within normal limits.
5. How does the body compensate for a low pH?
,Answer
Increases respiratory rate
6. A patient admitted with diabetic ketoacidosis was treated for metabolic acidosis with
intravenous (IV) fluids and insulin. Which electrolyte imbalance does the nurse monitor for as the
acid-base imbalance resolves?
Answer
Hypokalemia
7. Which arterial blood gas laboratory values would be seen in metabolic alkalosis?
Answer
pH 7.49, HCO 3 - 32
8. When caring for a patient with metabolic acidosis, what must the nurse keep in mind regarding
acid-base chemistry?
Answer
Fluids with lower pH have higher acidity.
9. A lab report for a 47-year-old patient shows the following results
pH 7.32; bicarbonate 24; PaO 2 77; PaCO 2 48.These findings are consistent with which acid-
base imbalance?
Answer
Respiratory acidosis
,10. After a motor vehicle crash, the nurse is consoling a patient in the emergency department
who is hysterical and hyperventilating after being notified of the death of a family member.
Whatacid-base imbalance is this patient likely to develop?
Answer
Respiratory alkalosis
11. A patient is admitted with severe diabetic ketoacidosis. Arterial blood gas results reveal a
pH of 7.21. What is this patient's acidosis most likely in response to?
Answer
Excessive breakdown of fatty acids
12. When caring for a patient with kidney failure who has metabolic acidosis, which symptom
does the nurse expect as evidence of the body's compensatory effort?
Answer
Rapid and deep respirations
13. The nurse is caring for a group of patients with acidosis. The nurse recognizes that
Kussmaul respirations are consistent with which situation?
Answer
Aspirin overdose
14. A patient with diabetes mellitus is brought to the emergency department after vomiting for
several days. The patient has rapid, deep respirations and a urine dipstick reveals ketonuria.
Which process does the nurse suspect is occurring with this patient?
Answer
Respiratory compensation for metabolic acidosis
, 15. Deep and rapid breaths consistent with Kussmaul respirations are found in patients with
which type of acid-base imbalance?
Answer
Metabolic acidosis
16. Which conditions place a patient at risk for developing metabolic alkalosis? Select all
that apply.
Answer
blood transfusion
nasogastric suctioning total parenteral nutrition
17. What is taking place in the body when hyperventilation occurs?
Answer
The central nervous system is responding to a rise in carbon dioxide.
18. Which electrolyte abnormality does the nurse anticipate when reviewing laboratory data
for a patient admitted with metabolic acidosis?
Answer
Hyperkalemia
19. The nurse is caring for a patient with metabolic alkalosis. What manifestations of
metabolic alkalosis is the nurse likely to assess? Select all that apply.
Answer
1. When evaluating the laboratory results of a patient with diabetic ketoacidosis , which lab
value indicates the body has fully compensated from this acid-base imbalance?
Answer
Normal pH on arterial blood gases
2. What is one of the causes of acidosis?
Answer
Kidney failure
3. Lab results for a 62-year-old patient show the following results
Answer
pH 7.48; bicarbonate 26; PaO 2 90; PaCO 2 32.These findings are consistent with which acid-
base imbalance?
respiratory alkalosis
4. To decrease the risk of acid-base imbalance, what goal must the patient with diabetes mellitus
strive for?
Answer
Maintaining blood glucose level within normal limits.
5. How does the body compensate for a low pH?
,Answer
Increases respiratory rate
6. A patient admitted with diabetic ketoacidosis was treated for metabolic acidosis with
intravenous (IV) fluids and insulin. Which electrolyte imbalance does the nurse monitor for as the
acid-base imbalance resolves?
Answer
Hypokalemia
7. Which arterial blood gas laboratory values would be seen in metabolic alkalosis?
Answer
pH 7.49, HCO 3 - 32
8. When caring for a patient with metabolic acidosis, what must the nurse keep in mind regarding
acid-base chemistry?
Answer
Fluids with lower pH have higher acidity.
9. A lab report for a 47-year-old patient shows the following results
pH 7.32; bicarbonate 24; PaO 2 77; PaCO 2 48.These findings are consistent with which acid-
base imbalance?
Answer
Respiratory acidosis
,10. After a motor vehicle crash, the nurse is consoling a patient in the emergency department
who is hysterical and hyperventilating after being notified of the death of a family member.
Whatacid-base imbalance is this patient likely to develop?
Answer
Respiratory alkalosis
11. A patient is admitted with severe diabetic ketoacidosis. Arterial blood gas results reveal a
pH of 7.21. What is this patient's acidosis most likely in response to?
Answer
Excessive breakdown of fatty acids
12. When caring for a patient with kidney failure who has metabolic acidosis, which symptom
does the nurse expect as evidence of the body's compensatory effort?
Answer
Rapid and deep respirations
13. The nurse is caring for a group of patients with acidosis. The nurse recognizes that
Kussmaul respirations are consistent with which situation?
Answer
Aspirin overdose
14. A patient with diabetes mellitus is brought to the emergency department after vomiting for
several days. The patient has rapid, deep respirations and a urine dipstick reveals ketonuria.
Which process does the nurse suspect is occurring with this patient?
Answer
Respiratory compensation for metabolic acidosis
, 15. Deep and rapid breaths consistent with Kussmaul respirations are found in patients with
which type of acid-base imbalance?
Answer
Metabolic acidosis
16. Which conditions place a patient at risk for developing metabolic alkalosis? Select all
that apply.
Answer
blood transfusion
nasogastric suctioning total parenteral nutrition
17. What is taking place in the body when hyperventilation occurs?
Answer
The central nervous system is responding to a rise in carbon dioxide.
18. Which electrolyte abnormality does the nurse anticipate when reviewing laboratory data
for a patient admitted with metabolic acidosis?
Answer
Hyperkalemia
19. The nurse is caring for a patient with metabolic alkalosis. What manifestations of
metabolic alkalosis is the nurse likely to assess? Select all that apply.
Answer
