Comprehensive NCLEX Review: Acid-Base, Drugs, Cardiac, OB,
Psych
What are the normal pH, CO2, and HCO3 values?
pH: 7.35 to 7.45, CO2: 35 to 45, HCO3: 22 to 26
What indicates an acidotic condition in terms of pH?
pH < 7.35 indicates acidotic condition.
What indicates an alkalotic condition in terms of pH?
pH > 7.45 indicates alkalotic condition.
How do you determine if an acid-base imbalance is metabolic or respiratory?
If pH and HCO3 move in the same direction, it is metabolic; if in opposite directions, it is respiratory.
What is an example of metabolic acidosis?
pH 7.3 and HCO3 20.
What is an example of metabolic alkalosis?
pH 7.58 and HCO3 32.
What is an example of respiratory acidosis?
pH 7.22 and HCO3 35.
,Comprehensive NCLEX Review: Acid-Base, Drugs, Cardiac, OB,
Psych
What happens to potassium levels in acidosis?
Potassium levels are high (hyperkalemia).
What happens to potassium levels in alkalosis?
Potassium levels are low (hypokalemia).
What are the signs of alkalosis?
Tachycardia, tachypnea, hypertension, seizures, irritability, spasticity, diarrhea.
What are the signs of acidosis?
Bradycardia, constipation, absent bowel sounds, lethargy, coma, hyporeflexia.
What is the default setting for acid-base imbalance when unsure?
Set the default to metabolic acidosis.
What triggers high-pressure alarms in ventilators?
Increased resistance to airflow, such as kinks in tubing, condensed water, or mucus plugs.
What is the first step to address a high-pressure alarm in a ventilator?
Unkink the tubing.
,Comprehensive NCLEX Review: Acid-Base, Drugs, Cardiac, OB,
Psych
What causes low-pressure alarms in ventilators?
Decreased resistance, often due to disconnection of tubing.
What should you do if a patient is in respiratory acidosis?
Notify the physician that the patient is not ready to be weaned off the ventilator.
What is the #1 psychological problem in alcoholism?
Denial.
How should you respond to a patient in denial?
Confront them by pointing out the difference between what they say and what they do.
What is the difference between dependency and co-dependency?
Dependency is when the abuser relies on someone else; co-dependency is when the significant other
derives self-esteem from helping the abuser.
What is manipulation in the context of abuse?
When the abuser gets the significant other to act against their best interests.
What is the treatment approach for dependent patients?
Confront them about their dependency.
, Comprehensive NCLEX Review: Acid-Base, Drugs, Cardiac, OB,
Psych
What is the treatment approach for co-dependent patients?
Teach them to set limits and enforce them.
What are the stages of grief according to DABDA?
Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, Acceptance.
What is the nursing intervention for a patient in respiratory distress due to acidosis?
Ventilate the patient with an Ambu bag.
What is the significance of Kussmaul respirations?
It is the only acid-base imbalance that causes metabolic acidosis.
What is the role of a ventilator?
To move breathable air into and out of the lungs for patients who cannot breathe adequately.
What is the appropriate order of actions for a high-pressure alarm on a ventilator?
1. Unkink. 2. Empty water from tubing. 3. Turn patient and ask them to cough or deep breathe. 4.
Suction if needed.
What is the difference between dependency/co-dependency and manipulation?
Psych
What are the normal pH, CO2, and HCO3 values?
pH: 7.35 to 7.45, CO2: 35 to 45, HCO3: 22 to 26
What indicates an acidotic condition in terms of pH?
pH < 7.35 indicates acidotic condition.
What indicates an alkalotic condition in terms of pH?
pH > 7.45 indicates alkalotic condition.
How do you determine if an acid-base imbalance is metabolic or respiratory?
If pH and HCO3 move in the same direction, it is metabolic; if in opposite directions, it is respiratory.
What is an example of metabolic acidosis?
pH 7.3 and HCO3 20.
What is an example of metabolic alkalosis?
pH 7.58 and HCO3 32.
What is an example of respiratory acidosis?
pH 7.22 and HCO3 35.
,Comprehensive NCLEX Review: Acid-Base, Drugs, Cardiac, OB,
Psych
What happens to potassium levels in acidosis?
Potassium levels are high (hyperkalemia).
What happens to potassium levels in alkalosis?
Potassium levels are low (hypokalemia).
What are the signs of alkalosis?
Tachycardia, tachypnea, hypertension, seizures, irritability, spasticity, diarrhea.
What are the signs of acidosis?
Bradycardia, constipation, absent bowel sounds, lethargy, coma, hyporeflexia.
What is the default setting for acid-base imbalance when unsure?
Set the default to metabolic acidosis.
What triggers high-pressure alarms in ventilators?
Increased resistance to airflow, such as kinks in tubing, condensed water, or mucus plugs.
What is the first step to address a high-pressure alarm in a ventilator?
Unkink the tubing.
,Comprehensive NCLEX Review: Acid-Base, Drugs, Cardiac, OB,
Psych
What causes low-pressure alarms in ventilators?
Decreased resistance, often due to disconnection of tubing.
What should you do if a patient is in respiratory acidosis?
Notify the physician that the patient is not ready to be weaned off the ventilator.
What is the #1 psychological problem in alcoholism?
Denial.
How should you respond to a patient in denial?
Confront them by pointing out the difference between what they say and what they do.
What is the difference between dependency and co-dependency?
Dependency is when the abuser relies on someone else; co-dependency is when the significant other
derives self-esteem from helping the abuser.
What is manipulation in the context of abuse?
When the abuser gets the significant other to act against their best interests.
What is the treatment approach for dependent patients?
Confront them about their dependency.
, Comprehensive NCLEX Review: Acid-Base, Drugs, Cardiac, OB,
Psych
What is the treatment approach for co-dependent patients?
Teach them to set limits and enforce them.
What are the stages of grief according to DABDA?
Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, Acceptance.
What is the nursing intervention for a patient in respiratory distress due to acidosis?
Ventilate the patient with an Ambu bag.
What is the significance of Kussmaul respirations?
It is the only acid-base imbalance that causes metabolic acidosis.
What is the role of a ventilator?
To move breathable air into and out of the lungs for patients who cannot breathe adequately.
What is the appropriate order of actions for a high-pressure alarm on a ventilator?
1. Unkink. 2. Empty water from tubing. 3. Turn patient and ask them to cough or deep breathe. 4.
Suction if needed.
What is the difference between dependency/co-dependency and manipulation?
