NUR 256 Exam 2 Study Guide & Practice Questions | Cardiovascular,
Respiratory & Acid-Base Nursing Review
1. What are the four acid base Respiratory Acidosis
imbalances? Respiratory Alkalosis
Metabolic Acidosis
Metabolic Alkalosis
2. What is respiratory acidosis? Most common cause of acid-base imbalance. Occurs when a per-
son breathes shallowly, or gas exchange is hampered by diseases
such as pneumonia, cystic fibrosis, or emphysema. - HYPOVENTI-
LATION.
Low pH (<7.35) - High CO2 (>45)
3. What is respiratory alkalo- Hyperventiation! Can occur from stress, anxiety, panic attack,
sis? bleeding, heart or lung disorder, infection.
High pH (>7.45) - Low CO2 (<35)
4. What is metabolic acidosis? An accumulation of acids as a byproduct of metabolism.
Low pH (<7.35) - Low HCO3 (<22)
5. What is metabolic alkalosis? Elevation of HCO3- usually caused by an excessive loss of meta-
bolic acids.
High pH (>7.45) - High HCO3 (>26)
6. What is uncompensated? The pH is out of range and CO2 OR HCO3 are in range.
7. What is partially compensat- The pH is out of range and CO2 AND HCO3 are both OUT of range.
ed?
8. What is fully compensated? The pH is WITHIN range.
9.
, NUR 256 Exam 2 Study Guide & Practice Questions | Cardiovascular,
Respiratory & Acid-Base Nursing Review
Signs and symptoms of res- - Hypoventilation --> hypoxia
piratory acidosis? - Rapid, shallow respirations
- Decrease BP with vasodilation
- Dypsnea (labored breathing)
- Headache
- Hyperkalemia (high potassium)
- Dysrhythmias
- Muscle weakness
- Drowsiness, dizziness, disorientation
10. Signs and symptoms of res- - Seizures
piratory alkalosis? - Deep, rapid breathing
- Hyperventilation
- Tachycardia
- Decreased or normal BP
- Hypokalemia (low potassium)
- Numbness and tingling of extremities
- Lethargy and confusion
- Light headedness
- Nausea, vomiting
11. Signs and symptoms of - Headache
metabolic acidosis? - Decreased BP
- *Hyperkalemia* (high potassium)
- *Muscle twitching*
- Warm, flushed skin (vasodilation)
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
- Changes in LOC, confusion, increase in drowsiness
- *Kussmal respirations* (compensatory hyperventilation)
12. Signs and symptoms of - Restlessness, followed by lethargy
metabolic alkalosis? - Dysrhythmias, tachycardia
, NUR 256 Exam 2 Study Guide & Practice Questions | Cardiovascular,
Respiratory & Acid-Base Nursing Review
- *Compensatory hypoventilation*
- Confusion, decreased LOC, dizzy, irritable
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
- *Tremors, muscle cramps, tingling of fingers and toes*
- *Hypokalemia* (low potassium)
13. What is the range for pH? 7.35-7.45
14. What is the range for 35-45
paCO2?
15. What is the range for HCO3? 22-26
16. What are the electrolytes? - Sodium
- Potassium
- Magnesium
- Calcium
- Bicarbonate
- Chloride
- Phosphorus
17. A patient has a diagnosis of - Restriction of sodium and water intake is vital for the treatment
hypervolemia. Which nurs- of hypervolemia in order to return the extracellular compartment
ing actions would the nurse to normal.
do first? - Ongoing assessment and monitoring
- Prescribed diuretics
18. What are the clinical mani- Signs of fluid excess are indicated by weight gain, hypertension,
festations of fluid volume ex- jugular vein distention, adventitious breath sounds (including
cess? crackles), and a wet cough. Cool, dry skin and poor tissue turgor
are signs of fluid volume deficit.
19.
Respiratory & Acid-Base Nursing Review
1. What are the four acid base Respiratory Acidosis
imbalances? Respiratory Alkalosis
Metabolic Acidosis
Metabolic Alkalosis
2. What is respiratory acidosis? Most common cause of acid-base imbalance. Occurs when a per-
son breathes shallowly, or gas exchange is hampered by diseases
such as pneumonia, cystic fibrosis, or emphysema. - HYPOVENTI-
LATION.
Low pH (<7.35) - High CO2 (>45)
3. What is respiratory alkalo- Hyperventiation! Can occur from stress, anxiety, panic attack,
sis? bleeding, heart or lung disorder, infection.
High pH (>7.45) - Low CO2 (<35)
4. What is metabolic acidosis? An accumulation of acids as a byproduct of metabolism.
Low pH (<7.35) - Low HCO3 (<22)
5. What is metabolic alkalosis? Elevation of HCO3- usually caused by an excessive loss of meta-
bolic acids.
High pH (>7.45) - High HCO3 (>26)
6. What is uncompensated? The pH is out of range and CO2 OR HCO3 are in range.
7. What is partially compensat- The pH is out of range and CO2 AND HCO3 are both OUT of range.
ed?
8. What is fully compensated? The pH is WITHIN range.
9.
, NUR 256 Exam 2 Study Guide & Practice Questions | Cardiovascular,
Respiratory & Acid-Base Nursing Review
Signs and symptoms of res- - Hypoventilation --> hypoxia
piratory acidosis? - Rapid, shallow respirations
- Decrease BP with vasodilation
- Dypsnea (labored breathing)
- Headache
- Hyperkalemia (high potassium)
- Dysrhythmias
- Muscle weakness
- Drowsiness, dizziness, disorientation
10. Signs and symptoms of res- - Seizures
piratory alkalosis? - Deep, rapid breathing
- Hyperventilation
- Tachycardia
- Decreased or normal BP
- Hypokalemia (low potassium)
- Numbness and tingling of extremities
- Lethargy and confusion
- Light headedness
- Nausea, vomiting
11. Signs and symptoms of - Headache
metabolic acidosis? - Decreased BP
- *Hyperkalemia* (high potassium)
- *Muscle twitching*
- Warm, flushed skin (vasodilation)
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
- Changes in LOC, confusion, increase in drowsiness
- *Kussmal respirations* (compensatory hyperventilation)
12. Signs and symptoms of - Restlessness, followed by lethargy
metabolic alkalosis? - Dysrhythmias, tachycardia
, NUR 256 Exam 2 Study Guide & Practice Questions | Cardiovascular,
Respiratory & Acid-Base Nursing Review
- *Compensatory hypoventilation*
- Confusion, decreased LOC, dizzy, irritable
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
- *Tremors, muscle cramps, tingling of fingers and toes*
- *Hypokalemia* (low potassium)
13. What is the range for pH? 7.35-7.45
14. What is the range for 35-45
paCO2?
15. What is the range for HCO3? 22-26
16. What are the electrolytes? - Sodium
- Potassium
- Magnesium
- Calcium
- Bicarbonate
- Chloride
- Phosphorus
17. A patient has a diagnosis of - Restriction of sodium and water intake is vital for the treatment
hypervolemia. Which nurs- of hypervolemia in order to return the extracellular compartment
ing actions would the nurse to normal.
do first? - Ongoing assessment and monitoring
- Prescribed diuretics
18. What are the clinical mani- Signs of fluid excess are indicated by weight gain, hypertension,
festations of fluid volume ex- jugular vein distention, adventitious breath sounds (including
cess? crackles), and a wet cough. Cool, dry skin and poor tissue turgor
are signs of fluid volume deficit.
19.
