Practice Question
A 72-year-old with type 2 diabetes and severe COPD arrives with Kussmaul-type breathing that has recently become shallow and slow. He is lethargic. Labs:ABG: PH 7.18, PaCO, 55 mmHg, HCO 38 mEq/L, PaO, 64 mmHg on 4 L/min NCSerum: Na 132 mEq/L, CI 96 mEq/L, K' 5.8 mEq/L, Glucose 540 mg/dL, Lactate 5 mmol/LWhich interpretation is most accurate?
Answer Choices:
Correct Answer:
Primary respiratory acidosis with partial renal (metabolic) compensation
Rationale:
🔹 pH < 7.35 = acidemia.
🔹 PaCO₂ 55 (high) = respiratory acidosis component.
🔹 HCO₃ 38 (high) = metabolic compensation trying to buffer CO₂.
🔹 Because the pH is still acidic, compensation is only partial, not full.
❌ Incorrect Options
❌ Primary respiratory acidosis without compensation → ❌ HCO₃ would be normal, not elevated.
❌ Full compensation → 😌 pH would be normal.
❌ Metabolic acidosis → 💥 Would have low HCO₃, not high.
Want to practice more questions like this?
This question is from MIDTERM EXAM FALL 2025 which contains 97 questions.
More Questions from This Exam
A patient treated for HIT with argatroban is now stable with platelets 210,000/µL. What is the safest next step in long-term anticoagulation
Answer Choices:
A. Bridge to warfarin only after platelet recovery, or transition to another non-heparin anticoagulant per protocol
B. Resume prophylactic heparin 6 weeks later
C. Discontinue all anticoagulation
D. Use Low Molecular Weight Heparin for convenience
Which actions protect an arteriovenous fistula for hemodialysis?
Answer Choices:
A. Flush every shift
B. Do not allow blood pressure cuffs or blood draws on the access arm
C. Take blood from the site for regular labs
D. Apply tight tourniquets for swelling
Best device to deliver exact FiOs of 24% in a COPD client?
Answer Choices:
A. Venturi mask with 24% adapter
B. Simple mask
C. Non-Rebreathing mask
D. Nasal cannula at 1 L/min
A 38-year-old has Hgb 8.9 g/dL, MCV 68 fL, ferritin 7 ng/mL (low) despite 3 months of adherent oral iron + vitamin C. What's the most appropriate management?
Answer Choices:
A. Transfuse PRBC to a target Hgb ≥12 g/dL
B. Initiate IV iron repletion and assess other micronutrients
C. Continue oral iron
D. Switch to enteric-coated iron
Which urinalysis pattern is most consistent with acute glomerulonephritis?
Answer Choices:
A. Red blood cells, red blood cell casts, and mild to moderate protein
B. White blood cells with eosinophils and alkaline urine
C. Four plus protein, positive nitrites, many bacteria
D. Ketones, glucose, and hyaline casts
Question Details
- Category: RN Nursing Exam(s)
- Subcategory: General Exams
- Domain: Adult Health Exams 🏯
- Answer Choices: 4