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Physiological Adaptation Flashcards

7 cards from real LPN practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Physiological Adaptation flashcards as text

  1. A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has an ABG: pH 7.35, PaCO2 52, HCO3 30 mEq/L. This result indicates:

    Answer: Compensated respiratory acidosis

    Elevated PaCO2 indicates respiratory acidosis; the elevated bicarbonate (kidneys retaining HCO3) brings pH back to normal range, indicating full compensation.

  2. A patient with acute myocardial infarction develops cardiogenic shock. Which hemodynamic finding is expected?

    Answer: Decreased cardiac output and increased pulmonary capillary wedge pressure

    Cardiogenic shock results from pump failure: low cardiac output combined with elevated filling pressures (high PCWP) due to a backed-up pulmonary circuit.

  3. A patient with acute renal failure has a urinary output of 20 mL/hour for the past 8 hours. The LPN recognizes this as:

    Answer: Oliguria indicating impaired renal perfusion or function

    Normal adult urine output is at least 30 mL/hour; 20 mL/hour is oliguria and signals inadequate renal perfusion or acute kidney injury.

  4. A patient receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN) suddenly develops confusion, diaphoresis, and tremors. The LPN's priority action is to:

    Answer: Check blood glucose immediately

    Confusion, diaphoresis, and tremors in a TPN patient suggest hypoglycemia (from insulin secretion triggered by high glucose), requiring immediate glucose check.

  5. A patient with a traumatic brain injury has clear drainage from the nose. The LPN should:

    Answer: Test the drainage with a glucose strip and notify the provider

    Clear nasal drainage after head trauma may be cerebrospinal fluid (CSF); glucose testing (CSF has glucose, mucus does not) and provider notification are essential.

  6. Which assessment finding is the earliest sign of hypovolemic shock?

    Answer: Tachycardia

    Tachycardia is the earliest compensatory response to volume loss as the heart increases rate to maintain cardiac output before blood pressure drops.

  7. A patient with Addison's disease presents in adrenal crisis. Which finding is most expected?

    Answer: Severe hypotension and hyponatremia

    Adrenal crisis (acute cortisol and aldosterone deficiency) causes profound hypotension and hyponatremia due to sodium wasting and inability to maintain vascular tone.