Author Question: A homeless client is brought into the emergency department with indications of extremely poor ... (Read 106 times)

CQXA · **on:** Jul 22, 2018

A homeless client is brought into the emergency department with indications of extremely poor nutrition. Arterial blood gases are assessed and the nurse anticipates that this client will demon-strate which of the following results?

a. pH, 7.3; PaCO2, 38 mm Hg; HCO3, 19 mmol/L
b. pH, 7.5; PaCO2, 34 mm Hg; HCO3, 20 mmol/L
c. pH, 7.35; PaCO2, 35 mm Hg; HCO3, 24 mmol/L
d. pH, 7.52; PaCO2, 48 mm Hg; HCO3, 28 mmol/L

Question 2

A 23-year-old client who recently had a head injury from a motor vehicle accident is in a state of unconsciousness. Which of the following physiological adaptations is primarily responsible for the client's level of consciousness?

a. Medulla oblongata
b. Reticular formation
c. Pituitary gland
d. External stress response

jgranad15 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 22, 2018

Answer to Question 1

A
Metabolic acidosis may be found in cases of starvation. At 7.3 the client's pH is below the nor-mal (7.35 to 7.45), the PaCO2 is in the normal range of 35 to 45 mm Hg (at 38 mm Hg), and at 19 mmol/L, the HCO3 is below the normal of 22 to 26 mmol/L. These findings demonstrate metabolic acidosis.
The values pH, 7.5; PaCO2, 34 mm Hg; HCO3, 20 mmol/L are consistent with respiratory alka-losis, compensated. This would not be typical of malnutrition.
The values pH, 7.35; PaCO2, 35 mm Hg; HCO3, 24 mmol/L represent normal arterial blood gas results.
The values pH, 7.52; PaCO2, 48 mm Hg; HCO3, 28 mmol/L are consistent with metabolic alka-losis, compensated. This would not be an expected finding with extremely poor nutrition.

Answer to Question 2

B
The reticular formation is primarily responsible for an individual's level of consciousness.
The medulla oblongata controls vital functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration.
The pituitary gland supplies hormones that control vital functions. The pituitary gland produces hormones necessary for adaptation to stress.
The external stress response is not primarily responsible for a person's level of consciousness.