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ATI Med Surg Monroe College
A nurse is caring for a client whose arterial blood gas results show a pH of 7.3 and a
PaCO2 of 50 mm Hg. The nurse should identify that the client is experiencing which of the
following acid-base imbalances?
A. Metabolic acidosis 0%
B. Respiratory alkalosis 50% Most selected
C. Respiratory acidosis 50%
D. Metabolic alkalosis 0%
Answer and Explanation
Choice A:
Metabolic acidosis is incorrect because it is characterized by a low pH and a low HCO3,
not a high PaCO2. Metabolic acidosis occurs when there is an excess of metabolic acids
in the body, such as lactic acid, ketoacids, or salicylates.
Choice B:
Respiratory alkalosis is incorrect because it is characterized by a high pH and a low
PaCO2, not a low pH and a high PaCO2. Respiratory alkalosis occurs when there is
excessive loss of carbon dioxide through hyperventilation, such as in anxiety, fever, or
aspirin overdose.
Choice C:
Respiratory acidosis is correct because it is characterized by a low pH and a high PaCO2.
Respiratory acidosis occurs when there is impaired gas exchange or hypoventilation,
resulting in accumulation of carbon dioxide in the blood. This can be caused by
conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pneumonia, asthma,
or chest trauma.
Choice D:
,Metabolic alkalosis is incorrect because it is characterized by a high pH and a high HCO3,
not a low pH and a high PaCO2. Metabolic alkalosis occurs when there is a loss of
metabolic acids or an excess of bicarbonate in the body, such as from vomiting, gastric
suctioning, or diuretic therapy.
A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results of a client who is dehydrated. Which of the
following BUN lab values should the nurse report to the provider?
A. 18 mg/dL 0%
B. 10 mg/dL 25%
C. 13 mg/dL 0%
D. 25 mg/dL 75% Most selected
Answer and Explanation
Choice A:
18 mg/dL is incorrect because it is within the normal range of BUN, which is 7 to 20 mg/dL.
BUN stands for blood urea nitrogen, which is a measure of the amount of nitrogen in the
blood that comes from urea, a waste product of protein metabolism. BUN can reflect the
kidney function and hydration status of the client.
Choice B:
10 mg/dL is incorrect because it is also within the normal range of BUN. A low BUN level
can indicate liver problems, malnutrition, or overhydration.
Choice C:
13 mg/dL is incorrect because it is also within the normal range of BUN. A normal BUN
level does not necessarily rule out dehydration, as other factors such as diet,
medications, and blood loss can affect the BUN level.
, Choice D:
25 mg/dL is correct because it is above the normal range of BUN and indicates a high
BUN level. A high BUN level can indicate dehydration, kidney failure, urinary tract
obstruction, heart failure, or excessive protein intake. The nurse should report this value to
the provider as it may require further evaluation and treatment.
The nurse is planning care for a patient with severe burns. What health problem should
the nurse realize that this patient could develop?
A. Intracellular fluid overload 25%
B. Intracellular fluid deficit 25%
C. Extracellular fluid deficit 50% Most selected
D. Interstitial fluid deficit 0%
Answer and Explanation
Choice A:
Intracellular fluid overload is incorrect because it is a condition where the fluid inside the
cells exceeds the normal range. This can cause cellular swelling and dysfunction.
Intracellular fluid overload can be caused by conditions such as hyponatremia, water
intoxication, or syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion
(SIADH).
Choice B:
Intracellular fluid deficit is incorrect because it is a condition where the fluid inside the
cells is below the normal range. This can cause cellular shrinkage and dysfunction.
Intracellular fluid deficit can be caused by conditions such as hypernatremia,
dehydration, or diabetes insipidus.
Choice C:
ATI Med Surg Monroe College
A nurse is caring for a client whose arterial blood gas results show a pH of 7.3 and a
PaCO2 of 50 mm Hg. The nurse should identify that the client is experiencing which of the
following acid-base imbalances?
A. Metabolic acidosis 0%
B. Respiratory alkalosis 50% Most selected
C. Respiratory acidosis 50%
D. Metabolic alkalosis 0%
Answer and Explanation
Choice A:
Metabolic acidosis is incorrect because it is characterized by a low pH and a low HCO3,
not a high PaCO2. Metabolic acidosis occurs when there is an excess of metabolic acids
in the body, such as lactic acid, ketoacids, or salicylates.
Choice B:
Respiratory alkalosis is incorrect because it is characterized by a high pH and a low
PaCO2, not a low pH and a high PaCO2. Respiratory alkalosis occurs when there is
excessive loss of carbon dioxide through hyperventilation, such as in anxiety, fever, or
aspirin overdose.
Choice C:
Respiratory acidosis is correct because it is characterized by a low pH and a high PaCO2.
Respiratory acidosis occurs when there is impaired gas exchange or hypoventilation,
resulting in accumulation of carbon dioxide in the blood. This can be caused by
conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pneumonia, asthma,
or chest trauma.
Choice D:
,Metabolic alkalosis is incorrect because it is characterized by a high pH and a high HCO3,
not a low pH and a high PaCO2. Metabolic alkalosis occurs when there is a loss of
metabolic acids or an excess of bicarbonate in the body, such as from vomiting, gastric
suctioning, or diuretic therapy.
A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results of a client who is dehydrated. Which of the
following BUN lab values should the nurse report to the provider?
A. 18 mg/dL 0%
B. 10 mg/dL 25%
C. 13 mg/dL 0%
D. 25 mg/dL 75% Most selected
Answer and Explanation
Choice A:
18 mg/dL is incorrect because it is within the normal range of BUN, which is 7 to 20 mg/dL.
BUN stands for blood urea nitrogen, which is a measure of the amount of nitrogen in the
blood that comes from urea, a waste product of protein metabolism. BUN can reflect the
kidney function and hydration status of the client.
Choice B:
10 mg/dL is incorrect because it is also within the normal range of BUN. A low BUN level
can indicate liver problems, malnutrition, or overhydration.
Choice C:
13 mg/dL is incorrect because it is also within the normal range of BUN. A normal BUN
level does not necessarily rule out dehydration, as other factors such as diet,
medications, and blood loss can affect the BUN level.
, Choice D:
25 mg/dL is correct because it is above the normal range of BUN and indicates a high
BUN level. A high BUN level can indicate dehydration, kidney failure, urinary tract
obstruction, heart failure, or excessive protein intake. The nurse should report this value to
the provider as it may require further evaluation and treatment.
The nurse is planning care for a patient with severe burns. What health problem should
the nurse realize that this patient could develop?
A. Intracellular fluid overload 25%
B. Intracellular fluid deficit 25%
C. Extracellular fluid deficit 50% Most selected
D. Interstitial fluid deficit 0%
Answer and Explanation
Choice A:
Intracellular fluid overload is incorrect because it is a condition where the fluid inside the
cells exceeds the normal range. This can cause cellular swelling and dysfunction.
Intracellular fluid overload can be caused by conditions such as hyponatremia, water
intoxication, or syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion
(SIADH).
Choice B:
Intracellular fluid deficit is incorrect because it is a condition where the fluid inside the
cells is below the normal range. This can cause cellular shrinkage and dysfunction.
Intracellular fluid deficit can be caused by conditions such as hypernatremia,
dehydration, or diabetes insipidus.
Choice C:
