ATI RN
ATI Maternal Newborn Proctored Exam
1. A healthcare professional is reviewing the laboratory values of a client who has respiratory acidosis. Which of the following findings should the healthcare professional expect?
- A. HCO3- 30 mEq/L
- B. PaCO2 50 mm Hg
- C. pH 7.45
- D. Potassium 3.3 mEq/L
Correct answer: B
Rationale: In respiratory acidosis, the primary disturbance is an increase in PaCO2 levels above the normal range of 35-45 mm Hg. Option B, PaCO2 50 mm Hg, indicates an elevated partial pressure of carbon dioxide, which is consistent with respiratory acidosis. Options A, C, and D are not directly indicative of respiratory acidosis. HCO3- (Option A) is more related to metabolic acidosis or alkalosis, pH (Option C) is within the normal range indicating no acid-base imbalance, and potassium (Option D) levels are not specific to respiratory acidosis.
2. A client with chronic kidney disease has arterial blood gas values being reviewed by a nurse. Which of the following sets of values should the nurse expect?
- A. pH 7.25, HCO3- 19 mEq/L, PaCO2 30 mm Hg
- B. pH 7.30, HCO3- 26 mEq/L, PaCO2 50 mm Hg
- C. pH 7.50, HCO3- 20 mEq/L, PaCO2 32 mm Hg
- D. pH 7.55, HCO3- 30 mEq/L, PaCO2 31 mm Hg
Correct answer: A
Rationale: In chronic kidney disease, metabolic acidosis is common due to impaired kidney function leading to reduced bicarbonate excretion. The correct values indicating metabolic acidosis in this scenario are a low pH (acidosis), low bicarbonate (HCO3-) level, and low PaCO2 (compensation through respiratory alkalosis). Therefore, the expected values for a client with chronic kidney disease would be pH 7.25, HCO3- 19 mEq/L, PaCO2 30 mm Hg, as depicted in choice A.
3. A client is receiving positive-pressure mechanical ventilation. Which of the following interventions should the nurse implement to prevent complications? (Select one that doesn't apply.)
- A. Elevate the head of the bed to at least 30�.
- B. Apply restraints if the client becomes agitated.
- C. Administer pantoprazole as prescribed.
- D. Reposition the endotracheal tube to the opposite side of the mouth daily.
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Repositioning the endotracheal tube to the opposite side of the mouth daily is not a standard practice in preventing complications in a client receiving positive-pressure mechanical ventilation. This action may disrupt the secure placement of the endotracheal tube and increase the risk of complications. Elevating the head of the bed to at least 30� helps prevent aspiration and ventilator-associated pneumonia. Applying restraints if the client becomes agitated helps maintain the safety of the client by preventing self-extubation or accidental dislodgement of tubes. Administering pantoprazole as prescribed helps prevent stress ulcers, a common complication in critically ill patients on mechanical ventilation.
4. 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
- B. Metabolic acidosis
- C. Metabolic alkalosis
- D. Respiratory alkalosis
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The ABG values provided indicate respiratory acidosis. In respiratory acidosis, there is an increase in PaCO2 above the normal range (35-45 mm Hg) leading to a decrease in pH (<7.35). In this case, the pH is 7.22 (below normal) with an elevated PaCO2 of 68 mm Hg. The other values do not suggest metabolic acidosis (which would typically show low bicarbonate levels) or metabolic alkalosis. Therefore, the correct interpretation of the ABGs is respiratory acidosis.
5. When reviewing the arterial blood gas values for a client, a nurse notes a pH of 7.32, PaCO2 of 48 mm Hg, and HCO3 of 23 mEq/L. What does this indicate about the acid-base balance?
- A. Respiratory acidosis
- B. Respiratory alkalosis
- C. Metabolic acidosis
- D. Metabolic alkalosis
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The given values suggest respiratory acidosis. In respiratory acidosis, the pH is low (<7.35), PaCO2 is high (>45 mm Hg), and the HCO3 is normal or slightly elevated. In this scenario, the low pH (7.32) and high PaCO2 (48 mm Hg) indicate respiratory acidosis, where there is an excess of carbon dioxide in the blood, leading to acidification of the body fluids.
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