The nurse is analyzing an arterial blood gas report of a patient ...

[silviawilliams41]

The nurse is analyzing an arterial blood gas report of a patient with COPD and respiratory acidosis. Through which mechanism should the nurse expect compensation to occur?
 
  1. The kidneys retain bicarbonate.
  2. The kidneys excrete bicarbonate.
  3. The lungs will retain carbon dioxide.
  4. The lungs will excrete carbon dioxide.

Question 2

The nurse is caring for a patient diagnosed with hypocalcemia. What additional assessments should the nurse include when caring for this patient?
 
  1. other electrolyte disturbances
  2. hypertension
  3. visual disturbances
  4. drug toxicity

[alvinum]

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 1
The kidneys will compensate for a respiratory disorder by retaining bicarbonate. Excreting bicarbonate causes acidosis to develop. Retaining carbon dioxide causes respiratory acidosis. Excreting carbon dioxide causes respiratory alkalosis.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 1
The patient diagnosed with hypocalcemia may also have high phosphorus or decreased magnesium levels. The patient with hypocalcemia may exhibit hypotension, and not hypertension. Visual disturbances do not occur with hypocalcemia. Hypercalcemia is more commonly caused by drug toxicities.