Author Question: The student nurse is seeking to learn skills associated with priority setting. Among the different ... (Read 72 times)

dakota nelson · **on:** Jul 22, 2018

The student nurse is seeking to learn skills associated with priority setting. Among the different priorities of care, which of the following is an example of an intermediate priority?

a. An obstructed airway
b. The need to urinate
c. Loss of consciousness
d. Activities of daily living in the home environment

Question 2

Arterial blood gases are obtained for the patient. The patient's results (pH 7.48, PaCO2 42 mm Hg, HCO3 32 mmol/L) indicate which one of the following acidbase imbalances?

a. Metabolic acidosis
b. Respiratory acidosis
c. Respiratory alkalosis
d. Metabolic alkalosis

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

Answer to Question 1

B
The need to urinate is an intermediate priority. This is a non-emergency, non-life-threatening ac-tual or potential need that the client or family members are experiencing.
An obstructed airway is a high-priority need because it is an immediate threat to a client's sur-vival or safety.
Loss of consciousness is a high-priority need because it is an immediate threat to a client's sur-vival or safety.
Activities of daily living in the home environment are a fourth-order priority need. This is an ac-tual or potential problem with which the client or family members may need help in the future.

Answer to Question 2

D

Feedback
A In metabolic acidosis, the patient's pH would be below 7.35, and the HCO3 would be below 22 mmol/L. The patient is not experiencing metabolic acidosis.
B In respiratory acidosis, the patient's pH would be below 7.35, and the PaCO2 would be elevated above 45 mm Hg. The patient is not experiencing respiratory acidosis.
C In respiratory alkalosis, the patient's pH would be above 7.45, and the PaCO2 would be below 35 mm Hg. The patient is not experiencing respiratory alkalosis.
D The patient's pH is elevated at 7.48 (normal, 7.35 to 7.45), the PaCO2 is normal at 42 (normal, 35 to 45 mm Hg), and the HCO3 is elevated at 32 (normal, 22 to 26 mmol/L). The patient is experiencing metabolic alkalosis.