BSN 366 Week 3 Gas Exchange Exam
Questions and Answers with Verified
Solutions | Latest Updated 2026
Acute Respiratory Failure:
Acute respiratory failure (ARF) is a
syndrome in which the respiratory
system fails in one or both of its
gas
exchange functions: oxygenation
and carbon dioxide elimination. As
a
result, the patient will experience
hypoxemia (low blood oxygen
levels) or hypercapnia (high blood
carbon dioxide levels)
:Airway and Alveolar Abnormalities CNS Abnormalities:
The underlying pathophysiology of A variety of CNS issues may suppress the
the following conditions results in drive to
airflow obstruction and air breathe.
trapping: Overdose of a respiratory depressant drug
-Asthma (eg, an
-COPD opioid or a benzodiazepine)
-Cystic fibrosis -High-level spinal cord injuries
Ultimately, respiratory muscle -Traumatic brain injuries
fatigue -Limited nerve supply to the respiratory
and ventilatory failure occur muscles of
because the chest wall and diaphragm
of the additional work needed to
breathe
,Chest Wall Abnormalities: Neuromuscular Conditions:
The following conditions limit lung The following neuromuscular diseases
expansion or diaphragmatic may result in
movement, and consequently, gas respiratory muscle weakness or paralysis:
exchange: -Guillain-Barré syndrome
Flail chest: Fractures prevent the -Muscular dystrophy
rib -Myasthenia gravis (acute exacerbation)
cage from expanding normally -Multiple sclerosis
because of pain, mechanical Paralyzed respiratory muscles are unable
restriction, and muscle spasms. to
Kyphoscoliosis: The abnormal eliminate CO2 and maintain normal
spinal PaCO2 levels
configuration compresses the
lungs
and prevents normal expansion of
the chest wall.
Severe obesity: The weight of the
chest and abdominal contents may
limit lung expansion.
These abnormalities often result in
painful work of breathing, further
limiting lung expansion.
Early signs of ARF may include
dyspnea, tachypnea, or accessory
muscle use.
,Question 1 of 3 Hypoxemic normocapnia
A patient is admitted to the Findings of hypoxemic normocapnia would
medical- reveal
surgical unit with a diagnosis of decreased PaO2 and normal PaCO2. This
pneumonia. Arterial blood gas is
(ABG) reflected in the ABG values.
results reveal a pH of 7.38, partial
arterial oxygen tension (PaO2) of
53
mm Hg, partial pressure of carbon
dioxide in arterial blood (Paco2) of
44 mm Hg, and a bicarbonate
level
of 24. Which type of acute
respiratory failure (ARF) would the
nurse suspect?
Hypoxemic hypocapnia
Hypoxemic hypercapnia
Hypoxemic normocapnia
Hypoxemic hypoventilation
, Question 2 of 3 Paradoxical diaphragmatic movements
The nurse is performing a Paradoxical breathing, the reverse
respiratory movements of
assessment on a patient being the diaphragm with breathing, is an
treated for acute respiratory failure indicator of
(ARF). The nurse determines that severe worsening of ARF
the
patient's respiratory status is
severely
worsening if which occurs?
Increased respirations
Use of accessory muscles
Paradoxical diaphragmatic
movements
Intercostal retractions noted during
inspiration
Question 3 of 3 Ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) scan
A patient presents with shortness A V/Q scan is used to diagnose a
of pulmonary
breath and chest pain. The embolism. The health care provider will
provider likely order
suspects that the patient has a this diagnostic test.
pulmonary embolus. Which Chest computed tomography (CT) scan
diagnostic tests might the provider A chest CT scan helps to identify the
order? presence and
Select all that apply. location of a pulmonary embolus. The
Pulse oximetry nurse
Sputum culture anticipates that might order a chest CT
Ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) scan scan to
Chest computed tomography (CT) confirm the diagnosis of an embolus.
scan
Measurement of arterial blood
gases
(ABGs)
Questions and Answers with Verified
Solutions | Latest Updated 2026
Acute Respiratory Failure:
Acute respiratory failure (ARF) is a
syndrome in which the respiratory
system fails in one or both of its
gas
exchange functions: oxygenation
and carbon dioxide elimination. As
a
result, the patient will experience
hypoxemia (low blood oxygen
levels) or hypercapnia (high blood
carbon dioxide levels)
:Airway and Alveolar Abnormalities CNS Abnormalities:
The underlying pathophysiology of A variety of CNS issues may suppress the
the following conditions results in drive to
airflow obstruction and air breathe.
trapping: Overdose of a respiratory depressant drug
-Asthma (eg, an
-COPD opioid or a benzodiazepine)
-Cystic fibrosis -High-level spinal cord injuries
Ultimately, respiratory muscle -Traumatic brain injuries
fatigue -Limited nerve supply to the respiratory
and ventilatory failure occur muscles of
because the chest wall and diaphragm
of the additional work needed to
breathe
,Chest Wall Abnormalities: Neuromuscular Conditions:
The following conditions limit lung The following neuromuscular diseases
expansion or diaphragmatic may result in
movement, and consequently, gas respiratory muscle weakness or paralysis:
exchange: -Guillain-Barré syndrome
Flail chest: Fractures prevent the -Muscular dystrophy
rib -Myasthenia gravis (acute exacerbation)
cage from expanding normally -Multiple sclerosis
because of pain, mechanical Paralyzed respiratory muscles are unable
restriction, and muscle spasms. to
Kyphoscoliosis: The abnormal eliminate CO2 and maintain normal
spinal PaCO2 levels
configuration compresses the
lungs
and prevents normal expansion of
the chest wall.
Severe obesity: The weight of the
chest and abdominal contents may
limit lung expansion.
These abnormalities often result in
painful work of breathing, further
limiting lung expansion.
Early signs of ARF may include
dyspnea, tachypnea, or accessory
muscle use.
,Question 1 of 3 Hypoxemic normocapnia
A patient is admitted to the Findings of hypoxemic normocapnia would
medical- reveal
surgical unit with a diagnosis of decreased PaO2 and normal PaCO2. This
pneumonia. Arterial blood gas is
(ABG) reflected in the ABG values.
results reveal a pH of 7.38, partial
arterial oxygen tension (PaO2) of
53
mm Hg, partial pressure of carbon
dioxide in arterial blood (Paco2) of
44 mm Hg, and a bicarbonate
level
of 24. Which type of acute
respiratory failure (ARF) would the
nurse suspect?
Hypoxemic hypocapnia
Hypoxemic hypercapnia
Hypoxemic normocapnia
Hypoxemic hypoventilation
, Question 2 of 3 Paradoxical diaphragmatic movements
The nurse is performing a Paradoxical breathing, the reverse
respiratory movements of
assessment on a patient being the diaphragm with breathing, is an
treated for acute respiratory failure indicator of
(ARF). The nurse determines that severe worsening of ARF
the
patient's respiratory status is
severely
worsening if which occurs?
Increased respirations
Use of accessory muscles
Paradoxical diaphragmatic
movements
Intercostal retractions noted during
inspiration
Question 3 of 3 Ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) scan
A patient presents with shortness A V/Q scan is used to diagnose a
of pulmonary
breath and chest pain. The embolism. The health care provider will
provider likely order
suspects that the patient has a this diagnostic test.
pulmonary embolus. Which Chest computed tomography (CT) scan
diagnostic tests might the provider A chest CT scan helps to identify the
order? presence and
Select all that apply. location of a pulmonary embolus. The
Pulse oximetry nurse
Sputum culture anticipates that might order a chest CT
Ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) scan scan to
Chest computed tomography (CT) confirm the diagnosis of an embolus.
scan
Measurement of arterial blood
gases
(ABGs)
