A patient is prescribed 20 mEq of potassium chloride. The nurse ...

[folubunmi]

A patient is prescribed 20 mEq of potassium chloride. The nurse realizes that the reason the patient is receiving this replacement is
 
  1. to sustain respiratory function.
  2. to help regulate acidbase balance.
  3. to keep a vein open.
  4. to encourage urine output.

Question 2

The nurse is caring for a patient diagnosed with renal failure. What should the nurse recognize as compensation for the acidbase disturbance found in patients with renal failure?
 
  1. The patient breathes rapidly to eliminate carbon dioxide.
  2. The patient will retain bicarbonate in excess of normal.
  3. The pH will decrease from the present value.
  4. The patient's oxygen saturation level will improve.

[chem1s3]

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 2
Potassium, the primary intracellular cation, plays a vital role in cell metabolism and cardiac and neuromuscular function. Potassium does not sustain respiratory function. Intravenous fluids are used to keep venous access not potassium. Urinary output is impacted by fluid intake not potassium.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 1
In metabolic acidosis compensation is accomplished through increased ventilation or blowing off CO2. This raises the pH by eliminating the volatile respiratory acid and compensates for the acidosis. Because compensation must be performed by the system other than the affected system, the patient cannot retain bicarbonate; the manifestation of metabolic acidosis of renal failure is a lower-than-normal bicarbonate value. Metabolic acidosis of renal failure causes a low pH; this is the manifestation of the disease process, not the compensation. Oxygenation disturbance is not part of the acidbase status of the patient with renal failure.

[folubunmi]

Thank you

[chem1s3]

No problemo