EAQ #4 NURS 1873 SP21 (Lewis Ch. 16 -
Acid-Base Balance) UPDATED ACTUAL
Questions and CORRECT Answers
When evaluating a patient for acid-base imbalances, which questions would the nurse pose? Select all that
apply. - CORRECT ANSWER -Solicit the extent and intensity of a patient's exercise routines
-Raise questions about any special dietary practices.
-Inquire about any deviations from usual bowel and bladder habits.
A patient with diabetes mellitus presents to the emergency room with a blood sugar of 400 mg/dL. Which
type of acid-base imbalance would the nurse monitor for the clinical manifestations? - CORRECT
ANSWER Metabolic acidosis
In which order does neutralization of an acidic state in the body occur? - CORRECT ANSWER 1.
There is a drop in pH with an increase of hydrochloric acid.
2. Bicarbonate is released.
3. Water and carbon dioxide are formed.
4. The lungs excrete the waste products
Upon review of blood pH values, which value would cause the nurse to determine that the patient is
acidotic? - CORRECT ANSWER 7.25
Which rationale would the nurse use to explain events occurring when the respiratory center, located in
the medulla, senses an increased concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) or H+? - CORRECT
ANSWER The respiratory center stimulates hyperventilation to get rid of CO2.
Which reference interval indicates the normal arterial blood gas values for the partial pressure of carbon
dioxide (PaCO2) parameter? - CORRECT ANSWER 35 to 45 mm Hg
, For which clinical manifestation would the nurse monitor closely in the patient experiencing respiratory
acidosis from chronic obstructive respiratory disease (COPD)? - CORRECT ANSWER Ventricular
fibrillation
A patient with metabolic acidosis asks how the acid-base imbalance will be corrected. Which response
would the nurse use? Select all that apply. - CORRECT ANSWER -"The renal system compensates
slowly, usually reacting to pH changes within 24 hours."
- "The respiratory system can compensate quickly to changes in pH and reacts in a matter of minutes."
-"The buffer system is the primary manner by which the body changes strong acids into weaker ones to
maintain pH balance."
Which statements would the emergency department nurse use to explain the cause of a patient's
respiratory alkalosis to the patient and family? Select all that apply. - CORRECT ANSWER -
"Hyperventilation can occur without any physiologic need, such as pain or anxiety."
-"This acid-base imbalance can be caused by hyperventilation as a result of increased body temperatures."
-"Hypoxemia from acute pulmonary disorders, such as pneumonia, is the primary cause of this acid-base
imbalance."
An emergency department patient presents with lethargy and confusion, and arterial blood gases reflect
metabolic acidosis. The family reports a history of "heart problems" and voices concern about the acidosis
affecting the heart. Which response would the nurse use to address the family's concern? - CORRECT
ANSWER "Uncompensated acidosis can cause hypotension and cardiac dysrhythmias; we will
monitor and work to prevent these complications."
A family member takes an older adult patient with dementia to the emergency room; the patient is found
to be hypercarbic. The patient's advanced directive indicates use of noninvasive procedures only. Which
statement would be the nurse's best response when the family asks if this issue will resolve by itself? -
CORRECT ANSWER "Older adults have a harder time compensating because they have decreased
respiratory and kidney functions."
Which statement describes the function of a buffer? - CORRECT ANSWER To convert strong
acids to weak acids
Acid-Base Balance) UPDATED ACTUAL
Questions and CORRECT Answers
When evaluating a patient for acid-base imbalances, which questions would the nurse pose? Select all that
apply. - CORRECT ANSWER -Solicit the extent and intensity of a patient's exercise routines
-Raise questions about any special dietary practices.
-Inquire about any deviations from usual bowel and bladder habits.
A patient with diabetes mellitus presents to the emergency room with a blood sugar of 400 mg/dL. Which
type of acid-base imbalance would the nurse monitor for the clinical manifestations? - CORRECT
ANSWER Metabolic acidosis
In which order does neutralization of an acidic state in the body occur? - CORRECT ANSWER 1.
There is a drop in pH with an increase of hydrochloric acid.
2. Bicarbonate is released.
3. Water and carbon dioxide are formed.
4. The lungs excrete the waste products
Upon review of blood pH values, which value would cause the nurse to determine that the patient is
acidotic? - CORRECT ANSWER 7.25
Which rationale would the nurse use to explain events occurring when the respiratory center, located in
the medulla, senses an increased concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) or H+? - CORRECT
ANSWER The respiratory center stimulates hyperventilation to get rid of CO2.
Which reference interval indicates the normal arterial blood gas values for the partial pressure of carbon
dioxide (PaCO2) parameter? - CORRECT ANSWER 35 to 45 mm Hg
, For which clinical manifestation would the nurse monitor closely in the patient experiencing respiratory
acidosis from chronic obstructive respiratory disease (COPD)? - CORRECT ANSWER Ventricular
fibrillation
A patient with metabolic acidosis asks how the acid-base imbalance will be corrected. Which response
would the nurse use? Select all that apply. - CORRECT ANSWER -"The renal system compensates
slowly, usually reacting to pH changes within 24 hours."
- "The respiratory system can compensate quickly to changes in pH and reacts in a matter of minutes."
-"The buffer system is the primary manner by which the body changes strong acids into weaker ones to
maintain pH balance."
Which statements would the emergency department nurse use to explain the cause of a patient's
respiratory alkalosis to the patient and family? Select all that apply. - CORRECT ANSWER -
"Hyperventilation can occur without any physiologic need, such as pain or anxiety."
-"This acid-base imbalance can be caused by hyperventilation as a result of increased body temperatures."
-"Hypoxemia from acute pulmonary disorders, such as pneumonia, is the primary cause of this acid-base
imbalance."
An emergency department patient presents with lethargy and confusion, and arterial blood gases reflect
metabolic acidosis. The family reports a history of "heart problems" and voices concern about the acidosis
affecting the heart. Which response would the nurse use to address the family's concern? - CORRECT
ANSWER "Uncompensated acidosis can cause hypotension and cardiac dysrhythmias; we will
monitor and work to prevent these complications."
A family member takes an older adult patient with dementia to the emergency room; the patient is found
to be hypercarbic. The patient's advanced directive indicates use of noninvasive procedures only. Which
statement would be the nurse's best response when the family asks if this issue will resolve by itself? -
CORRECT ANSWER "Older adults have a harder time compensating because they have decreased
respiratory and kidney functions."
Which statement describes the function of a buffer? - CORRECT ANSWER To convert strong
acids to weak acids
