A client has experienced a narcotic overdose. What acidbase ...

[lindiwe]

A client has experienced a narcotic overdose. What acidbase imbalance should the nurse expect to observe in this client?
 
  1. Respiratory acidosis
  2. Respiratory alkalosis
  3. Metabolic acidosis
  4. Metabolic alkalosis

Question 2

A client tells the nurse about passing out after following a fasting diet for 5 days. Which acidbase imbalance should the nurse expect to assess in this client?
 
  1. Respiratory acidosis
  2. Respiratory alkalosis
  3. Metabolic acidosis
  4. Metabolic alkalosis

[Jsherida]

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 1
Rationale 1: Because narcotics generally act to decrease or suppress respirations, this client is probably hypoventilating. The expected acidbase imbalance would be respiratory acidosis.
Rationale 2: Respiratory alkalosis is associated with hyperventilation.
Rationale 3: This imbalance occurs with too much acid in the body. The respirations will increase. It is not typically seen in a client experiencing a narcotic overdose.
Rationale 4: This imbalance is seen in those with prolonged periods of vomiting or other conditions where the body loses acid.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 3
Rationale 1: Starvation would not result in respiratory acidosis.
Rationale 2: Starvation would not result in respiratory alkalosis.
Rationale 3: A client who is fasting is at risk for development of metabolic acidosis. The body recognizes fasting as starvation and begins to metabolize its own proteins into ketones, which are metabolic acids.
Rationale 4: Starvation would not result in metabolic alkalosis.