NR 324 Exam 1 – Fluid & Electrolytes and Respiratory
System Questions with Correct Answers
Pao2 - CORRECT ANSWER -80-100 mm Hg
Ph - CORRECT ANSWER -7.35-7.45
Low ph - CORRECT ANSWER -acidic
High ph - CORRECT ANSWER -alkalosis
Pa CO2 - CORRECT ANSWER -35-45 mm Hg
HCO3 - CORRECT ANSWER -22-26 meq/L
Respiratory acidosis - CORRECT ANSWER -low ph, high co2, normal bicarbonate
Causes of respiratory acidosis - CORRECT ANSWER -respiratory depression from
anesthesia, overdose, increased intracranial pressure, airway obstruction from
decreased alveolar capillary diffusion like pneumonia, COPD, ARDS, AND PE
Signs/symptoms of respiratory acidosis - CORRECT ANSWER -hypoventilation
(hypoxia), rapid, shallow respirations, decrease in BP, skin/mucous pale to
,cyanotic, headache, hyperkalemia, dysrhythmias, drowsiness, dizziness,
disorientation, muscle weakness, hyperreflexia
Nursing management of respiratory acidosis - CORRECT ANSWER -ventilator,
arterial blood gas, low-dose oxygen in chronic conditions, high-dose oxygen in
acute hypoxia with acidosis, I/O, promote the release of CO2, turn/cough/deep
breathe, assume semi-high fowlers position, clear respiratory secretions, colors of
skin, mucous membranes
Respiratory alkalosis - CORRECT ANSWER -high ph, low co2 and normal
bicarbonate
Causes of respiratory alkalosis - CORRECT ANSWER -high ph, low co2 and
hyperventilation, initial stages of pulmonary emboli, hypoxia, fever, pregnancy,
high altitudes, and anxiety
Signs/symptoms of respiratory alkalosis - CORRECT ANSWER -seizures, deep/rapid
breathing, hyperventilation, tachycardia, decrease BP, hypokalemia,
numbness/tingling in extremities, lethargy/confusion, light headedness, N/V
Nursing management of respiratory alkalosis - CORRECT ANSWER -kidneys retain
H+ ions, use a rebreather mask or paper bag, sedatives, monitor respiratory
rate/depth, tachycardia, low BP, serum K+ levels/ECG levels, hydration status I/O,
check for toxicities
Metabolic acidosis - CORRECT ANSWER -low ph, normal co2 and low bicarbonate
, Metabolic acidosis signs/symptoms - CORRECT ANSWER -compensatory
hyperventilation (kussmaul respirations), headache, decreased BP, hyperkalemia,
muscle twitching, warm/flushed skin, N/D/V, changes in LOC,
Causes of metabolic acidosis - CORRECT ANSWER -low ph/low bicarbonate,
diabetic ketoacidosis, shock, sepsis, severe diarrhea, and renal failure
What goes up in acidosis - CORRECT ANSWER -potassium
Metabolic acidosis nursing management - CORRECT ANSWER -BUN, creatinine,
hemoglobin/hematocrit levels, monitor hydration, turn/cough/deep breathe,
ABG's, check K, Ca usually goes down, weights, vitals
Metabolic alkalosis - CORRECT ANSWER -high ph, normal co2, and high hco3
Causes of metabolic alkalosis - CORRECT ANSWER -high ph, high bicarb and severe
vomiting, excessive GI suctioning, diuretics, and excessive nahco3
Metabolic alkalosis signs/symptoms - CORRECT ANSWER -restlessness (lethargy),
confusion, dizzy, irritable, dysrhythmias, compensatory hypoventilation, N/V/D,
tremors, muscle cramps, tingling of fingers and toes, dehydration
Metabolic alkalosis nursing management - CORRECT ANSWER -monitor ECG's,
ABG's for ph, K, Ca levels, LOC checks for tetany, tremors, muscle cramps, tingling,
System Questions with Correct Answers
Pao2 - CORRECT ANSWER -80-100 mm Hg
Ph - CORRECT ANSWER -7.35-7.45
Low ph - CORRECT ANSWER -acidic
High ph - CORRECT ANSWER -alkalosis
Pa CO2 - CORRECT ANSWER -35-45 mm Hg
HCO3 - CORRECT ANSWER -22-26 meq/L
Respiratory acidosis - CORRECT ANSWER -low ph, high co2, normal bicarbonate
Causes of respiratory acidosis - CORRECT ANSWER -respiratory depression from
anesthesia, overdose, increased intracranial pressure, airway obstruction from
decreased alveolar capillary diffusion like pneumonia, COPD, ARDS, AND PE
Signs/symptoms of respiratory acidosis - CORRECT ANSWER -hypoventilation
(hypoxia), rapid, shallow respirations, decrease in BP, skin/mucous pale to
,cyanotic, headache, hyperkalemia, dysrhythmias, drowsiness, dizziness,
disorientation, muscle weakness, hyperreflexia
Nursing management of respiratory acidosis - CORRECT ANSWER -ventilator,
arterial blood gas, low-dose oxygen in chronic conditions, high-dose oxygen in
acute hypoxia with acidosis, I/O, promote the release of CO2, turn/cough/deep
breathe, assume semi-high fowlers position, clear respiratory secretions, colors of
skin, mucous membranes
Respiratory alkalosis - CORRECT ANSWER -high ph, low co2 and normal
bicarbonate
Causes of respiratory alkalosis - CORRECT ANSWER -high ph, low co2 and
hyperventilation, initial stages of pulmonary emboli, hypoxia, fever, pregnancy,
high altitudes, and anxiety
Signs/symptoms of respiratory alkalosis - CORRECT ANSWER -seizures, deep/rapid
breathing, hyperventilation, tachycardia, decrease BP, hypokalemia,
numbness/tingling in extremities, lethargy/confusion, light headedness, N/V
Nursing management of respiratory alkalosis - CORRECT ANSWER -kidneys retain
H+ ions, use a rebreather mask or paper bag, sedatives, monitor respiratory
rate/depth, tachycardia, low BP, serum K+ levels/ECG levels, hydration status I/O,
check for toxicities
Metabolic acidosis - CORRECT ANSWER -low ph, normal co2 and low bicarbonate
, Metabolic acidosis signs/symptoms - CORRECT ANSWER -compensatory
hyperventilation (kussmaul respirations), headache, decreased BP, hyperkalemia,
muscle twitching, warm/flushed skin, N/D/V, changes in LOC,
Causes of metabolic acidosis - CORRECT ANSWER -low ph/low bicarbonate,
diabetic ketoacidosis, shock, sepsis, severe diarrhea, and renal failure
What goes up in acidosis - CORRECT ANSWER -potassium
Metabolic acidosis nursing management - CORRECT ANSWER -BUN, creatinine,
hemoglobin/hematocrit levels, monitor hydration, turn/cough/deep breathe,
ABG's, check K, Ca usually goes down, weights, vitals
Metabolic alkalosis - CORRECT ANSWER -high ph, normal co2, and high hco3
Causes of metabolic alkalosis - CORRECT ANSWER -high ph, high bicarb and severe
vomiting, excessive GI suctioning, diuretics, and excessive nahco3
Metabolic alkalosis signs/symptoms - CORRECT ANSWER -restlessness (lethargy),
confusion, dizzy, irritable, dysrhythmias, compensatory hypoventilation, N/V/D,
tremors, muscle cramps, tingling of fingers and toes, dehydration
Metabolic alkalosis nursing management - CORRECT ANSWER -monitor ECG's,
ABG's for ph, K, Ca levels, LOC checks for tetany, tremors, muscle cramps, tingling,
