ATI Detailed Answer Key
Student Success. N4581Resp Practice Questions
Page 1QUESTIONS AND RATIONALE
1.A nurse is reviewing the arterial blood gas values for a client. The pH is 7.32, PaCO2 48 mm Hg and
the HCO3 is 23 mEq/L. The nurse should recognize that these findings indicate of which of the following acid base balances?
A.Respiratory acidosis
Rationale: A number of conditions can lead to respiratory acidosis, including COPD and pneumonia. In the presence of respiratory acidosis, the client's blood gas values meet the following criteria: a pH less than 7.35, a PaCO2 greater than greater 45 mg/Hg, and a HCO3 that is normal or slightly elevated (22 to 26 mEq/mL).
B.Respiratory alkalosis
Rationale: Hyperventilation, from acute pain or anxiety, can causes respiratory alkalosis. In the
presence of respiratory alkalosis, the client's blood gas values meet the following criteria: a pH greater than 7.45, a PaCO2 less than 35 mm Hg, and a HCO3 of 22 to 26 mEq/mL.
C.Metabolic acidosis
Rationale: Ketoacidosis can cause metabolic acidosis. In the presence of metabolic acidosis, the client's blood gas values meet the following criteria: a pH less than 7.35, a PaCO2 that is normal if uncompensated (35 to 45 mm/Hg), and a HCO3 less than 22
mEq/mL.
D.Metabolic alkalosis
Rationale: Persistent vomiting can cause metabolic alkalosis. In the presence of metabolic acidosis, the client's blood gas values meet the following criteria: a pH greater than 7.45, a PaCO2 that is normal if uncompensated (35 to 45 mm/Hg), and a HCO3 that is greater than 26 mEq/mL.
2.A nurse is providing teaching to a client who is postoperative following coronary artery bypass graft
(CABG) surgery and is receiving opioid medications to manage discomfort. Aside from managing
pain, which of the following desired effects of medications should the nurse identify as most
important for the client’s recovery?
A.It decreases the client's level of anxiety.
Rationale: The nurse should assess for and manage the client’s anxiety, as this can result in postoperative delirium. Following the administration of an opioid medication, the nurse should assess the client for relief of pain and apprehension. Even though opioid analgesics may decrease the client's level of anxiety (partially from pain reduction alone), there is another effect that is more important.
B.It facilitates the client's deep breathing.
Rationale: When using the airway, breathing, circulation approach to client care, the nurse should identify facilitation of deep breathing as the most important desired effect of
opioids aside from pain relief. Following thoracic type surgeries, the client’s has increased pain with moving, deep breathing and coughing. Opioid medications help minimize the discomfort experienced with deep breathing and coughing which prevents the development of postoperative pneumonia. The nurse should also encourage the client to splint his incision to help minimize pain.
C.It enhances the client's ability to sleep. ATI Detailed Answer Key
Student Success. N4581Resp Practice Questions
Page 2Rationale: The nurse should take measures to facilitate sleep in the postoperative client such as
providing ATI Detailed Answer Key
Student Success. N4581Resp Practice Questions
Page 3quiet time that is undisturbed, dimming lights, and ensuring the client is comfortable and not in pain. Even though opioid analgesics may increase the client’s ability to relax and sleep, another effect is more important.
D.It reduces the client's blood pressure.
Rationale: The nurse should closely monitor the cardiac status of the client who is
postoperative. The client who is experiencing pain releases catecholamines which
produce vasoconstriction and increase blood pressure. Even though opioid
analgesics may assist in reducing a client’s blood pressure, another effect is more
important.
3.A client is admitted to the emergency room with a respiratory rate of 7/min. Arterial blood gases (ABG) reveal the following values. Which of the following is an appropriate analysis of the ABGs? pH 7.22 PaCO2 68 mm Hg Base excess -2 PaO2 78 mm Hg Saturation 80% Bicarbonate 26 mEq/L
A.Respiratory acidosis
Rationale: Respiratory acidosis occurs when there is retention of CO2 due to an impairment of
respiratory function. It can be the result of respiratory depression, seen with anesthesia or opioid administration; inadequate chest expansion, due to a weakness of the respiratory muscles or constriction to the thorax; an obstruction of
the airway, seen in aspiration, bronchoconstriction, or laryngeal edema; or from an inability of the lungs to adequately diffuse gases (O2 and CO2), resulting from conditions such as pneumonia, COPD, chest trauma, or pulmonary emboli.
Arterial blood gases will reveal a pH that is lower than the normal reference range (7.35 – 7.45) and a CO2 level that is higher than the normal reference range (35 – 45 mm Hg).
B.Metabolic acidosis
Rationale: Metabolic acidosis occurs when there is an alteration in the level of hydrogen ions or
a reduction in the amount of bicarbonate available. It can be the result of diabetic ketoacidosis, starvation, hypoxia, renal or liver failure, dehydration, or diarrhea. Arterial blood gases will reveal a pH that is lower than the normal reference range (7.35 – 7.45) and a bicarbonate (HCO3) level that is lower than the normal reference
range (21 – 28 mEq/mL).
C.Metabolic alkalosis
Rationale: Metabolic alkalosis occurs when there is an alteration in the level of HCO3 along with an increase in the pH of the blood. It can be the result when a client ingests too much antacid from blood transfusions or total parenteral nutrition. It can also occur if the client has prolonged vomiting or NG suction, takes thiazide diuretics, or has a metabolic disorder such as hypercortisolism or hyper aldosteronism. Arterial blood gases will reveal a pH that is higher than the normal reference range (7.35 – 7.45) and an HCO3 level that is higher than the normal reference range (35 – 45 mm Hg).
D.Respiratory alkalosis
Rationale: Respiratory alkalosis occurs when there is an excessive loss of CO2 through hyperventilation, mechanical ventilation, fever, overdose of salicylates, or lesions to
the central nervous system. Arterial blood gases will reveal a pH that is higher than the normal reference range (7.35 – 7.45) and a CO2 level that is lower than the normal reference range (35 – 45 mm Hg).
