,NUR 2392 Exam 2 | Multidimensional Care II
(2026) Actual Q&A PDF | Rasmussen
1. A patient's arterial blood gas shows pH 7.30, PaCO₂ 50 mmHg, HCO₃⁻ 24
mEq/L. The nurse interprets this as:
A) Uncompensated respiratory acidosis
B) Partially compensated metabolic acidosis
C) Uncompensated metabolic alkalosis
D) Fully compensated respiratory alkalosis
Correct Answer: A) Uncompensated respiratory acidosis
Rationale: Low pH (acidosis) with elevated PaCO₂ and normal HCO₃⁻ indicates
respiratory acidosis without renal compensation. Treatment focuses on
improving ventilation to eliminate excess CO₂.
2. A client with anxiety is hyperventilating. ABG: pH 7.48, PaCO₂ 30 mmHg,
HCO₃⁻ 24 mEq/L. The nurse identifies:
A) Metabolic acidosis
B) Respiratory alkalosis
C) Respiratory acidosis
D) Metabolic alkalosis
Correct Answer: B) Respiratory alkalosis
,Rationale: Elevated pH and low PaCO₂ with normal HCO₃⁻ indicate acute
respiratory alkalosis. Hyperventilation blows off CO₂, raising pH. The kidneys
have not yet compensated.
3. The nurse is caring for a patient with diabetic ketoacidosis. ABG: pH 7.28,
PaCO₂ 30 mmHg, HCO₃⁻ 14 mEq/L. This represents:
A) Uncompensated metabolic acidosis
B) Partially compensated respiratory acidosis
C) Partially compensated metabolic acidosis
D) Uncompensated respiratory alkalosis
Correct Answer: C) Partially compensated metabolic acidosis
Rationale: Low pH and low HCO₃⁻ (metabolic acidosis) with low PaCO₂
(respiratory compensation) indicates partially compensated metabolic acidosis,
as seen in DKA. The lungs are compensating.
4. A patient has a pH of 7.33, PaCO₂ 48 mmHg, HCO₃⁻ 28 mEq/L. The nurse
concludes this is:
A) Respiratory acidosis with partial metabolic compensation
B) Metabolic alkalosis with respiratory compensation
C) Fully compensated metabolic acidosis
D) Uncompensated metabolic alkalosis
Correct Answer: D) Respiratory acidosis with partial metabolic compensation
, Rationale: Low pH, high PaCO₂, and slightly elevated HCO₃⁻ indicate respiratory
acidosis with beginning renal compensation (bicarbonate retention). It is not
fully compensated because pH is still abnormal.
5. The nurse reviews a patient's ABG: pH 7.36, PaCO₂ 48 mmHg, HCO₃⁻ 30
mEq/L. This is consistent with:
A) Fully compensated respiratory acidosis
B) Uncompensated metabolic alkalosis
C) Partially compensated respiratory alkalosis
D) Fully compensated metabolic acidosis
Correct Answer: A) Fully compensated respiratory acidosis
Rationale: Normal pH with elevated PaCO₂ and HCO₃⁻ indicates the kidneys
have fully compensated by retaining bicarbonate, bringing pH back to normal.
This occurs in chronic COPD.
6. Which condition is a common cause of metabolic acidosis?
A) Prolonged vomiting
B) Nasogastric suctioning
C) Diabetic ketoacidosis
D) Loop diuretic therapy
Correct Answer: C) Diabetic ketoacidosis
(2026) Actual Q&A PDF | Rasmussen
1. A patient's arterial blood gas shows pH 7.30, PaCO₂ 50 mmHg, HCO₃⁻ 24
mEq/L. The nurse interprets this as:
A) Uncompensated respiratory acidosis
B) Partially compensated metabolic acidosis
C) Uncompensated metabolic alkalosis
D) Fully compensated respiratory alkalosis
Correct Answer: A) Uncompensated respiratory acidosis
Rationale: Low pH (acidosis) with elevated PaCO₂ and normal HCO₃⁻ indicates
respiratory acidosis without renal compensation. Treatment focuses on
improving ventilation to eliminate excess CO₂.
2. A client with anxiety is hyperventilating. ABG: pH 7.48, PaCO₂ 30 mmHg,
HCO₃⁻ 24 mEq/L. The nurse identifies:
A) Metabolic acidosis
B) Respiratory alkalosis
C) Respiratory acidosis
D) Metabolic alkalosis
Correct Answer: B) Respiratory alkalosis
,Rationale: Elevated pH and low PaCO₂ with normal HCO₃⁻ indicate acute
respiratory alkalosis. Hyperventilation blows off CO₂, raising pH. The kidneys
have not yet compensated.
3. The nurse is caring for a patient with diabetic ketoacidosis. ABG: pH 7.28,
PaCO₂ 30 mmHg, HCO₃⁻ 14 mEq/L. This represents:
A) Uncompensated metabolic acidosis
B) Partially compensated respiratory acidosis
C) Partially compensated metabolic acidosis
D) Uncompensated respiratory alkalosis
Correct Answer: C) Partially compensated metabolic acidosis
Rationale: Low pH and low HCO₃⁻ (metabolic acidosis) with low PaCO₂
(respiratory compensation) indicates partially compensated metabolic acidosis,
as seen in DKA. The lungs are compensating.
4. A patient has a pH of 7.33, PaCO₂ 48 mmHg, HCO₃⁻ 28 mEq/L. The nurse
concludes this is:
A) Respiratory acidosis with partial metabolic compensation
B) Metabolic alkalosis with respiratory compensation
C) Fully compensated metabolic acidosis
D) Uncompensated metabolic alkalosis
Correct Answer: D) Respiratory acidosis with partial metabolic compensation
, Rationale: Low pH, high PaCO₂, and slightly elevated HCO₃⁻ indicate respiratory
acidosis with beginning renal compensation (bicarbonate retention). It is not
fully compensated because pH is still abnormal.
5. The nurse reviews a patient's ABG: pH 7.36, PaCO₂ 48 mmHg, HCO₃⁻ 30
mEq/L. This is consistent with:
A) Fully compensated respiratory acidosis
B) Uncompensated metabolic alkalosis
C) Partially compensated respiratory alkalosis
D) Fully compensated metabolic acidosis
Correct Answer: A) Fully compensated respiratory acidosis
Rationale: Normal pH with elevated PaCO₂ and HCO₃⁻ indicates the kidneys
have fully compensated by retaining bicarbonate, bringing pH back to normal.
This occurs in chronic COPD.
6. Which condition is a common cause of metabolic acidosis?
A) Prolonged vomiting
B) Nasogastric suctioning
C) Diabetic ketoacidosis
D) Loop diuretic therapy
Correct Answer: C) Diabetic ketoacidosis
