Chapter 14: Acid base imbalance

Question 1

An increase in hydrogen ions would result in a(n):

Decreased pH

Increased pH

Answer 1

Decreased pH becoming more acidic.

the lower the pH, the acidic.

Question 2

an increase in bicarbonate results in a(n):

Decreased pH.

Increased pH.

Answer 2

Increased pH.

Question 3

When there is an abnormally high level of hydrogen (H+) ions in the body, the normal compensatory mechanism is:

Decrease in the respiratory rate to retain CO2.

Increase in the respiratory rate to expel CO2.

Answer 3

The body responds to high levels of H⁺ (acidosis) by increasing the respiratory rate, which helps to expel CO2.

Question 4

arterial blood pH

Answer 4

7.35 - 7.45

Question 5

which TWO organs play a major role in maintaining pH balance?

Answer 5

Lungs and Kidneys

Question 6

Hyperventilation leads to:

Respiratory acidosis

Respiratory alkalosis

Answer 6

Respiratory alkalosis.

because when you hyperventilate, you breath out excess c02, therefore creating an alkalosis state.

Question 7

Which assessment finding suggests a patient has acidosis?
Select all that apply.

Confusion

Hypertension

Hyperreflexia

Warm, flushed, dry skin

Pounding peripheral pulse

Answer 7

Confusion.
Warm, flushed, dry skin

Question 8

Kussmaul respiration would be seen as a compensatory
mechanism with which situation?

Aspirin overdose

Use of hydrochlorothiazide

Administration of sodium bicarbonate

Patient receiving mechanical ventilation

Answer 8

Aspirin overdose.

because excess aspirin can cause metabolic acidosis such as Kussmaul respiration.

Question 9

A patient, admitted with diabetic ketoacidosis, was treated for
metabolic acidosis with intravenous (IV) fluids and insulin. For
which electrolyte imbalance would the nurse monitor as the
acid-base imbalance resolves?

Hyponatremia

Hypokalemia

Hyperkalemia

Hypernatremia

Answer 9

Hypokalemia.

Because insulin causes movement of potassium out of blood steam into the cells.

Question 10

Which clinical cue would the nurse likely assess for a patient
with metabolic alkalosis?

Decrease in heart rate

Numbness around the mouth

Increase in handgrip strength

Presence of Kussmaul respiration

Hyperactivity of deep tendon reflexes

Answer 10

Numbness around the mouth.

Hyperactivity of deep tendon reflexes

Question 11

Which condition may result in metabolic acidosis? Select all that
apply.

Starvation

Blood transfusion

Prolonged vomiting

Prolonged diarrhea

Nasogastric suctioning

Total parenteral nutrition

Answer 11

starvation.

Prolonged diarrhea.

Question 12

first intervention for respiratory acidosis?

Answer 12

improve ventilation by administration of bronchodilator.

Question 13

patients undergoing NG suction are at risk for __________ alkalosis.

Answer 13

metabolic alkalosis

Question 14

Which condition places a patient at risk for developing
metabolic alkalosis? Select all that apply.

Fever

Diarrhea

Blood transfusion

Hypovolemic shock

Nasogastric suctioning

Total parenteral nutrition

Answer 14

Blood transfusion
Nasogastric suctioning
TPN

Question 15

A person who is in starvation state would be in:

Metabolic alkalosis
Metabolic acidosis

Answer 15

Metabolic acidosis

Question 16

Factors that cause Respiratory Acidosis

Answer 16

(An accumulation of CO2 / acid in lungs).

• hypoventilation (ur not breathing out co2)
• COPD, PNa, chest trauma (poor air exchange)
• decrease in Respiration Rate (post anesthesia).

Question 17

Factors that cause Respiratory Alkalosis

Answer 17

(Decrease of CO2 / acid in lungs).

• hyperventilation (breathing out co2)
• anxiety, panic attacks, asthma
• increased Respiratory Rate

Question 18

Factors that cause Metabolic Acidosis

Answer 18

( decrease level of bicarb, increase in acid).

• diarrhea (you loose bicarb through poo)
• DKA (body cannot use insulin, forced to get energy thru fats = ketones, acid increases).
• excess Aspirin intake

Question 19

Factors that cause Metabolic Alkalosis

Answer 19

(Body has excess of bicarb)

• excess vomiting ( loss of GI acids )
• NG suctioning ( loss of GI acids)
• Hypokalemia due to diuretics like loop (furosemide)
• excess antacid use (it contains sodium bicarb).