Practice Question
A nurse is caring for a client who is in the early stages of hypoxia and is receiving oxygen therapy. When collecting data from this client, the nurse should expect to find which of the following early indications of hypoxia?
Answer Choices:
Correct Answer:
Hypertension.
Rationale:
✔️In the early stages of hypoxia, the body compensates by increasing heart rate and blood pressure to deliver more oxygen to tissues.
✔️This response results in tachycardia and hypertension rather than bradycardia or cyanosis (which appear later).
✔️Other early signs include anxiety, restlessness, and confusion.
✔️As hypoxia progresses, vital signs decline, and cyanosis develops.
✔️Recognizing these early compensatory signs enables timely oxygen intervention before severe hypoxemia develops.
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This question is from Custom Fundamentals unit Exam 2 Fall 2025 which contains 65 questions.
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Question Details
- Category: RN Nursing Exam(s)
- Subcategory: ATI Exam(s)
- Domain: RN ATI Fundamentals of Nursing
- Answer Choices: 4