Med Surg 3- Quiz 4 study guide Questions and
Verified Answers
What is the purpose of a specific gravity test? Correct Answer: To check fluid status.
What causes Resp. Acidosis? Correct Answer: pH less than 7.35 with a paCO2 >45mmhg. caused by an
accumulation of co2 which combines with water in the body to produce carbonic acid which lowers the
pH of the blood.
ex:Pulmonary embolism, Hypoventilation, atelectasis, pneumonia, pneumothorax, pulmonary edema,
bronchial obstruction, impaired resp muscle function, cns depression r/t head injury or meds.
S/S of Resp. Acidosis? Correct Answer: dyspnea, resp distress, shallow resp, ha, restlessness, confusion,
tachycardia, dysrhythmias
What causes Resp. Alkalosis? Correct Answer: pH > 7.45 with a pa co2 < 35mmhg.
ex: hyperventilation, pain, cns lesions, meds (resp stimulants), fever, sepsis, pregnancy, thyrotoxicosis,
fear or anxiety
S/S of Resp. Alkalosis? Correct Answer: light-headedness, confusion, numbness, tingling, blurred vision,
inability to concentrate, palpitations, diaphoresis, dysrhythmias, dry mouth, tetanic spasms of arms and
legs
What causes Metabolic Acidosis? Correct Answer: bicarbonate <22 mEq/L, pH < 7.35. A deficit of base in
the bloodstream or and excess of acids, other than co2.
ex: diarrhea, intestinal fistulas, renal failure, DKA, anaerobic metabolism, starvation, salicylate
intoxication
S/S of Metabolic Acidosis? Correct Answer: kussmal's resp, nausea, vomiting, warm flushed skin,
dysrhythmias, ha, confusion, restlessness, lethargy, stupor, coma
What causes Metabolic Alkalosis? Correct Answer: bicarbonate > 26 mEq/L pH >7.45. excess of base or a
loss of acid within the body. Excess base occurs from ingestion of antacids, excess use of bicarbonate, or
use of lactate in dialysis. Loss of acids occur secondary to protracted vomiting, gastric suction,
hypochloremia, high levels of aldosterone, excess administration of diuretics.
s/s of metabolic alkalosis? Correct Answer: resp depression, dizziness, lethargy, coma, seizures,
disorientation, nausea, vomiting, tetany, weakness, muscle twitching, muscle cramps
, complications of infiltration? Correct Answer: caused by nonvesicant solution or med administered into
surrounding tissue. the iv dislodges or perforates the wall of the vein.
s/sx: edema around site, coolness, discomfort, leakage of iv fluid from site, significant decrease in the
flow rate.
tx: stop infusion, d/c iv, apply sterile dressing, warm/cold compress is applied and elevate arm to promote
absorption
What are the local complications of phlebitis? Correct Answer: inflammation of a vein. can be cuased by
and irritating med, rapid infusion rate, med imcompaibilities.
s/sx: reddened, warm area around site, pain or tenderness at site
tx: d/c iv, restart in another site, apply warm, moist compress
What is third spacing? Correct Answer: loss of ECF into space that does not contribute to equilibrium
s/sx: early evidence of third spacing is a decrease in urine output despite adequate fluid intake. increased
hr, decreased bp, decreased central venous pressure, edema, increased body wt, imbalances in i&o.
who: hypocalcemia, decreased iron intake, severe liver diseases, alcoholism, cancer, burns, immobility,
malabsorption, hypothyroidism
What does third spacing cause? Correct Answer: Hypovolemia
What is the purpose of Chvoctek & Trousseau testing? Interpretation of positive test? Correct Answer: to
test for hypocalcemia
chvoctek: tapping over the facial nerve and causing spasms
trousseau: spasm caused by the blood flow to the arm is occluded using a bp cuff, and hand will turn
upwards.
What acid based imbalance does an NG tube cause? Correct Answer: Metabolic alkalosis (from vomiting
& gastric suctioning)
What is the normal pH range? Correct Answer: 7.35 to 7.45 (below 7.35 = acidosis ; above 7.45 =
alkalosis)
What is the normal CO2 range? Correct Answer: 35-45 (below 35 is acidosis; above 45 is alkalosis)
Verified Answers
What is the purpose of a specific gravity test? Correct Answer: To check fluid status.
What causes Resp. Acidosis? Correct Answer: pH less than 7.35 with a paCO2 >45mmhg. caused by an
accumulation of co2 which combines with water in the body to produce carbonic acid which lowers the
pH of the blood.
ex:Pulmonary embolism, Hypoventilation, atelectasis, pneumonia, pneumothorax, pulmonary edema,
bronchial obstruction, impaired resp muscle function, cns depression r/t head injury or meds.
S/S of Resp. Acidosis? Correct Answer: dyspnea, resp distress, shallow resp, ha, restlessness, confusion,
tachycardia, dysrhythmias
What causes Resp. Alkalosis? Correct Answer: pH > 7.45 with a pa co2 < 35mmhg.
ex: hyperventilation, pain, cns lesions, meds (resp stimulants), fever, sepsis, pregnancy, thyrotoxicosis,
fear or anxiety
S/S of Resp. Alkalosis? Correct Answer: light-headedness, confusion, numbness, tingling, blurred vision,
inability to concentrate, palpitations, diaphoresis, dysrhythmias, dry mouth, tetanic spasms of arms and
legs
What causes Metabolic Acidosis? Correct Answer: bicarbonate <22 mEq/L, pH < 7.35. A deficit of base in
the bloodstream or and excess of acids, other than co2.
ex: diarrhea, intestinal fistulas, renal failure, DKA, anaerobic metabolism, starvation, salicylate
intoxication
S/S of Metabolic Acidosis? Correct Answer: kussmal's resp, nausea, vomiting, warm flushed skin,
dysrhythmias, ha, confusion, restlessness, lethargy, stupor, coma
What causes Metabolic Alkalosis? Correct Answer: bicarbonate > 26 mEq/L pH >7.45. excess of base or a
loss of acid within the body. Excess base occurs from ingestion of antacids, excess use of bicarbonate, or
use of lactate in dialysis. Loss of acids occur secondary to protracted vomiting, gastric suction,
hypochloremia, high levels of aldosterone, excess administration of diuretics.
s/s of metabolic alkalosis? Correct Answer: resp depression, dizziness, lethargy, coma, seizures,
disorientation, nausea, vomiting, tetany, weakness, muscle twitching, muscle cramps
, complications of infiltration? Correct Answer: caused by nonvesicant solution or med administered into
surrounding tissue. the iv dislodges or perforates the wall of the vein.
s/sx: edema around site, coolness, discomfort, leakage of iv fluid from site, significant decrease in the
flow rate.
tx: stop infusion, d/c iv, apply sterile dressing, warm/cold compress is applied and elevate arm to promote
absorption
What are the local complications of phlebitis? Correct Answer: inflammation of a vein. can be cuased by
and irritating med, rapid infusion rate, med imcompaibilities.
s/sx: reddened, warm area around site, pain or tenderness at site
tx: d/c iv, restart in another site, apply warm, moist compress
What is third spacing? Correct Answer: loss of ECF into space that does not contribute to equilibrium
s/sx: early evidence of third spacing is a decrease in urine output despite adequate fluid intake. increased
hr, decreased bp, decreased central venous pressure, edema, increased body wt, imbalances in i&o.
who: hypocalcemia, decreased iron intake, severe liver diseases, alcoholism, cancer, burns, immobility,
malabsorption, hypothyroidism
What does third spacing cause? Correct Answer: Hypovolemia
What is the purpose of Chvoctek & Trousseau testing? Interpretation of positive test? Correct Answer: to
test for hypocalcemia
chvoctek: tapping over the facial nerve and causing spasms
trousseau: spasm caused by the blood flow to the arm is occluded using a bp cuff, and hand will turn
upwards.
What acid based imbalance does an NG tube cause? Correct Answer: Metabolic alkalosis (from vomiting
& gastric suctioning)
What is the normal pH range? Correct Answer: 7.35 to 7.45 (below 7.35 = acidosis ; above 7.45 =
alkalosis)
What is the normal CO2 range? Correct Answer: 35-45 (below 35 is acidosis; above 45 is alkalosis)
