A client who is found unresponsive has the following arterial blood gases: pH 7.12, PCO2 90, and HCO3 26. The nurse interprets the results as indicating which condition?

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Respiratory System NCLEX Questions Questions

Question 1 of 5

A client who is found unresponsive has the following arterial blood gases: pH 7.12, PCO2 90, and HCO3 26. The nurse interprets the results as indicating which condition?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D, respiratory acidosis without compensation. The low pH and high PCO2 levels indicate respiratory acidosis. HCO3 is within normal range, suggesting no metabolic compensation. This is not metabolic acidosis as the HCO3 level is not elevated. Not partial compensation as the HCO3 level is not compensating for the respiratory acidosis.

Question 2 of 5

A male adult patient on mechanical ventilation is receiving pancuronium bromide (Pavulon), 0.01 mg/kg I.V. as needed. Which assessment finding indicates that the patient needs another pancuronium dose?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Fighting the ventilator. This indicates inadequate muscle relaxation, requiring another dose of pancuronium. Leg, finger, and lip movements are not reliable indicators of muscle relaxation in a mechanically ventilated patient. Fighting the ventilator suggests the patient is not adequately sedated or paralyzed, requiring further intervention to maintain optimal ventilation and oxygenation.

Question 3 of 5

A nurse is preparing to obtain a sputum specimen from a male client. Which of the following nursing actions will facilitate obtaining the specimen?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Having the client take deep breaths. This action facilitates obtaining a sputum specimen by helping the client to cough and expectorate sputum effectively. Deep breaths help to mobilize secretions, making it easier for the client to produce a quality specimen. Limiting fluid intake (choice A) can lead to dehydration and thickening of secretions, making it harder to obtain a specimen. Asking the client to spit into the container (choice C) may result in contamination with saliva. Asking the client to obtain the specimen after eating (choice D) can introduce food particles into the specimen, affecting the accuracy of the test.

Question 4 of 5

A nursing instructor asks a nursing student to describe the route of transmission of tuberculosis. The instructor concludes that the student understands this information if the student states that tuberculosis is transmitted by:

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: The airborne route. Tuberculosis is primarily transmitted through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes, releasing droplets containing the TB bacteria. These droplets can be inhaled by others, leading to the transmission of the disease. This mode of transmission is supported by scientific evidence and is well-documented in medical literature. Choice A (Hand to mouth) is incorrect because TB is not typically transmitted through direct contact with contaminated hands to mouth. Choice C (The fecal-oral route) is incorrect as TB is not transmitted through fecal-oral route but primarily through respiratory droplets. Choice D (Blood and body fluids) is incorrect as TB is not commonly transmitted through blood or body fluids, but rather through respiratory droplets in the air.

Question 5 of 5

The COPD patient delightedly tells the nurse that he has quit smoking and is using chewing tobacco. The nurse's best intervention would be to:

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. The nurse should point out that the patient is still addicted and using tobacco. This is important because quitting smoking is a positive step, but using chewing tobacco still poses health risks. By highlighting the addiction and continued use of tobacco, the nurse can provide necessary education and support for the patient's overall health. Choice A is incorrect because it fails to address the continued tobacco use. Choice B is also incorrect as it focuses on a specific risk (oral cancer) rather than the broader issue of tobacco addiction. Choice C is incorrect as adding nicotine patches would not address the fact that the patient is still using tobacco in another form.

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