Question 1
When explaining respiratory failure to the patient's family, what should the nurse use as an accurate description?
- A. The absence of ventilation
- B. Any episode in which part of the airway is obstructed
- C. Inadequate gas exchange to meet the metabolic needs of the body
- D. An episode of acute hypoxemia caused by a pulmonary dysfunction
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: C — Inadequate gas exchange to meet the metabolic needs of the body
The correct answer is C: Inadequate gas exchange to meet the metabolic needs of the body. This is the accurate description of respiratory failure as it reflects the core issue of the condition - the lungs' inability to effectively exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide to support the body's metabolic needs. Explanation for why the other choices are incorrect: A: The absence of ventilation - This is too simplistic and does not encompass the full spectrum of respiratory failure, which involves both ventilation and gas exchange. B: Any episode in which part of the airway is obstructed - This describes airway obstruction, not respiratory failure, which involves broader issues with gas exchange. D: An episode of acute hypoxemia caused by a pulmonary dysfunction - This choice focuses only on hypoxemia and pulmonary dysfunction, which are components of respiratory failure but do not fully capture the complexity of the condition.