RN Physiological Adaptation 2

Question 1

A patient with COPD has a PaO2 of 55 mmHg and PaCO2 of 60 mmHg on arterial blood gas. How should the nurse interpret this?

Accepted Answer

Respiratory acidosis with hypoxemia

Answer

Elevated PaCO2 (>45 mmHg) indicates CO2 retention and respiratory acidosis; PaO2 below 60 mmHg confirms hypoxemia, both characteristic of COPD exacerbation.

Question 2

Which nursing action is most appropriate for a patient experiencing status epilepticus?

Accepted Answer

Turn the patient to the side and time the seizure

Answer

Positioning the patient laterally prevents aspiration and protects the airway; timing the seizure provides critical data for treatment decisions.

Question 3

A patient with heart failure has crackles in bilateral lung bases, JVD, and peripheral edema. The nurse recognizes these as signs of:

Accepted Answer

Both right- and left-sided heart failure

Answer

Bilateral crackles and orthopnea indicate left-sided failure (pulmonary congestion), while JVD and peripheral edema indicate right-sided failure (systemic congestion).

Question 4

A nurse is caring for a patient with increased intracranial pressure (ICP). Which position is most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Head of bed elevated 30 degrees with head midline

Answer

Elevating the head of the bed 30 degrees with the head in midline promotes venous drainage from the brain, reducing ICP.

Question 5

Which assessment finding is most concerning in a patient 24 hours after a spinal cord injury at C5?

Accepted Answer

Blood pressure of 98/60 mmHg with bradycardia

Answer

Hypotension with bradycardia after a high spinal cord injury suggests neurogenic shock due to loss of sympathetic tone, which is a medical emergency.

RN - Registered Nurse Practice Test

RN - Registered Nurse Practice Test

RN Physiological Adaptation 2