a nurse is reviewing the arterial blood gas results for a client in the icu who has kidney failure and determines the client has respiratory acidosis
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Nursing Elites

ATI RN

Medical Surgical ATI Proctored Exam

1. A healthcare professional is reviewing the arterial blood gas results for a client in the ICU who has kidney failure and determines the client has respiratory acidosis. Which of the following findings should the healthcare professional expect?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Respiratory acidosis is a condition characterized by increased carbon dioxide levels in the blood, resulting in acidosis. One of the potential consequences of respiratory acidosis is the development of electrolyte imbalances, particularly hyperkalemia. Hyperkalemia can lead to cardiac conduction abnormalities, manifested as widened QRS complexes on an electrocardiogram (ECG). Therefore, in a client with respiratory acidosis, the healthcare professional should expect to find widened QRS complexes as a result of the associated hyperkalemia.

2. A client is postoperative with shallow respirations at 9/min. Which acid-base imbalance should the nurse identify the client as being at risk for developing initially?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The client's shallow respirations at 9/min indicate hypoventilation, leading to an accumulation of carbon dioxide in the blood, causing respiratory acidosis. In this scenario, the client is at risk for developing respiratory acidosis due to inadequate ventilation and subsequent CO2 retention.

3. When caring for a client with pneumonia, what intervention is most effective in preventing the spread of infection?

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The most effective intervention to prevent the spread of infection when caring for a client with pneumonia is performing hand hygiene before and after client contact. This practice helps reduce the transmission of pathogens from one person to another, promoting infection control and maintaining a safe environment for both the client and healthcare provider.

4. The client is prescribed a long-acting beta2 agonist and expresses concerns about the cost, stating they only use the inhaler during asthma attacks. How should the nurse respond?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct response should address the client's concern about the cost of using the inhaler daily. While emphasizing the importance of daily use is crucial, it is also essential to acknowledge and offer support for the financial burden. Identifying community resources can help the client access affordable medications. Exploring fears related to breathlessness does not directly address the client's financial concerns.

5. After a thoracentesis, a healthcare provider assesses a client. Which assessment finding warrants immediate action?

Correct answer: D

Rationale: A deviated trachea indicates a tension pneumothorax, a life-threatening emergency. This condition can rapidly lead to respiratory failure and requires immediate intervention. The other assessment findings, such as pain level, mild drainage, and slightly decreased oxygen saturation, are within an expected range after a thoracentesis and do not indicate an immediate threat to the client's life.

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