NSG 101 Final Exam Questions and
Already Passed Answers 2025-2026
Updated.
respiratory acidosis signs & symptoms - Answer S/S: -breathing; slowed or difficult, retain
CO2, late signs = cyanosis
-CNS; HA, drowsy, restless, tremor, cofusion, disorientation -> COMA (cerebral vasodilation,
increased bloodflow to brain) & death
-increased HR, lack of energy, weakness
-hyperkalemia (as H+ moves into cells to compensate)
*always physically ASSESS the pt; listen to pt's family for clues to pt's normal
respiratory acidosis causes - Answer Causes: -airway obstruction; food, foreign body,
cardiac/resp arrest, pulmon. edema, acute bronchitis, atelectasis, ARDS, pneumonia (anything
that constricts/occludes airway preventing exhalation)
-drugs; over dose of anesthetics, sedatives, narcotics
-head injuries; can interfere with signals from brain to lungs
-neuromuscular; impaired muscles round lungs prevent chest expansion
respiratory acidosis interventions - Answer Interventions: improve respiratory ventilation via:
-mechanical ventilation
-bronchodilators, antibiotics, anticoagulants
-pulmonary hygiene; coughing, turning, deep breathing INCENTATIVE SPIROMETER postural
drainage
-adequate hydration
-supplemental oxygen (beware if chronic hypercapnia) *COPD pt's are accustomed to increased
CO2 levels; a lack of O2 called hypoxic drive stimulates these pt's to breathe
-monitor I&O, VS (always include O2 sat), ABGs
respiratory acidosis lab look outs - Answer * decreased pH
*increased CO2
*increased HCO3
respiratory acidosis "will sees" - Answer hypoventilation
rapid, shallow respirations
increased BP
, dyspnea
headache
hyperkalemia
disorientation
increased cardiac output
muscle weakness
hyppoxia
hypokalemia S/S - Answer Fatigue
Anorexia, N/V, ileus (decreased bowel motility)
Muscle weakness, leg cramps
Dysrhythmias- ventricle fib- extremely low K+, need to be on cardiac monitor
"Pins and needles" sensation (paresthesia)
A SIC WALT (hypokalemia) - Answer A-alkalosis
S-shallow respirations
I-irritability
C-confusion, drowsiness
W-weakness, fatigue
A-arrhythmias- irregular rate, tachycardia
L-lethargy
T-thready pulse
* decreased intestinal motility, N/V, ileus
Hyperkalemia S/S - Answer -Peaked, narrow (real tall) T waves-maybe first sign
-Tachycardia that leads to bradycardia
-Skeletal muscle weakness
-GI: intestinal colic, cramps, distention
Sodium Level - Answer 135-145 mEq/L
Potassium level - Answer 3.5-5.0 mEq/L
Already Passed Answers 2025-2026
Updated.
respiratory acidosis signs & symptoms - Answer S/S: -breathing; slowed or difficult, retain
CO2, late signs = cyanosis
-CNS; HA, drowsy, restless, tremor, cofusion, disorientation -> COMA (cerebral vasodilation,
increased bloodflow to brain) & death
-increased HR, lack of energy, weakness
-hyperkalemia (as H+ moves into cells to compensate)
*always physically ASSESS the pt; listen to pt's family for clues to pt's normal
respiratory acidosis causes - Answer Causes: -airway obstruction; food, foreign body,
cardiac/resp arrest, pulmon. edema, acute bronchitis, atelectasis, ARDS, pneumonia (anything
that constricts/occludes airway preventing exhalation)
-drugs; over dose of anesthetics, sedatives, narcotics
-head injuries; can interfere with signals from brain to lungs
-neuromuscular; impaired muscles round lungs prevent chest expansion
respiratory acidosis interventions - Answer Interventions: improve respiratory ventilation via:
-mechanical ventilation
-bronchodilators, antibiotics, anticoagulants
-pulmonary hygiene; coughing, turning, deep breathing INCENTATIVE SPIROMETER postural
drainage
-adequate hydration
-supplemental oxygen (beware if chronic hypercapnia) *COPD pt's are accustomed to increased
CO2 levels; a lack of O2 called hypoxic drive stimulates these pt's to breathe
-monitor I&O, VS (always include O2 sat), ABGs
respiratory acidosis lab look outs - Answer * decreased pH
*increased CO2
*increased HCO3
respiratory acidosis "will sees" - Answer hypoventilation
rapid, shallow respirations
increased BP
, dyspnea
headache
hyperkalemia
disorientation
increased cardiac output
muscle weakness
hyppoxia
hypokalemia S/S - Answer Fatigue
Anorexia, N/V, ileus (decreased bowel motility)
Muscle weakness, leg cramps
Dysrhythmias- ventricle fib- extremely low K+, need to be on cardiac monitor
"Pins and needles" sensation (paresthesia)
A SIC WALT (hypokalemia) - Answer A-alkalosis
S-shallow respirations
I-irritability
C-confusion, drowsiness
W-weakness, fatigue
A-arrhythmias- irregular rate, tachycardia
L-lethargy
T-thready pulse
* decreased intestinal motility, N/V, ileus
Hyperkalemia S/S - Answer -Peaked, narrow (real tall) T waves-maybe first sign
-Tachycardia that leads to bradycardia
-Skeletal muscle weakness
-GI: intestinal colic, cramps, distention
Sodium Level - Answer 135-145 mEq/L
Potassium level - Answer 3.5-5.0 mEq/L
