Nursing Gas Exchange
Study Guide |
Oxygenation, Respiratory
Assessment & NCLEX
Practice Questions |
Guaranteed success|
Updated 2026 Questions and Answers
100% Verified Exam Prep and Comprehensive
Rationales
Included
,pH range 7.35-7.45
Bicarb range (HCO3) 22-26
relationship between Co2 and pH Inverse
PaCO2 normal range 35-45 mm Hg
hypoxemia deficient amount of oxygen in the blood
<80
Causes of respiratory acidosis Drug overdose
Airway obstruction
Pulmonary edema
Chest trauma
Hypoventilation
COPD
Pneumonia
Atelectasis
Headache
Hypervolemia
Causes of metabolic acidosis Aspirin overdose
^diarrhea
Kidney failure
Diabetic keto acidosis
Sepsis
Shock
Starvation
Headache
Low BP
Hyperkalemia
Causes of respiratory alkalosis Anxiety
^altitude
Pregnancy
Fever/infection
Hypoxia
Initial stages of pulmonary emboli
Mechanical ventilation
Deep rapid breathing
Hyperventilating
Nausea/vomiting
Hypokalemia
Seizures
Causes of metabolic acidosis Low gastric juices (NGtube)
Overuse of antacids
wasting diuretics (loosing fluids)
Dysrhythmias
^GI suctioning
Muscle cramps
Confusion
Hypokalemia
, Airway remodeling Structural changes of the airway caused by a disease, such as asthma, resulting in
progressive or permanent loss of lung function
Constantly in fightmode
Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) measure of the fastest flow of exhaled air after a maximal inspiration
chronic bronchitis inflammation of the bronchi persisting over a long time
Cough and sputum for 3months
(Kills of cilia)
"Blue bloater"
(Pulmonary hypertension-right sided heart failure (cor pulmonale))
Emphysema a condition in which the air sacs of the lungs are damaged (fully) and enlarged,
causing breathlessness.
"Pink puffer"
Barrel chest
Hyper inflated lungs (trapped air)
Popped lung - pneumothorax
Hard to expel air
Pursed lip breathing
Belly breathing
Rust sputum Pneumonia/ bacteria infection
Chest X-ray
hypoxic drive A condition in which chronically low levels of oxygen in the blood stimulate the
respiratory drive; seen in patients with chronic lung diseases.
Use of chemoreceptors instead of Co2 receptors
Too much O2 = don't need breath
88%-92% spo2
After nebulizer treatment... Deep breathing cough
Assess for altered mental status
Promote activity
Cachectic Extremely skinny, bony, malnourished
Thin and wasted
All energy resources to breath
=^protein+calories
Small meals throughout the day
short acting beta 2 agonists Albuterol
Fast acting rescue drug
Nervousness
Restlessness
Tremor
Albuterol SABA
Levalbuterol SABA
Salmeterol LABA
Study Guide |
Oxygenation, Respiratory
Assessment & NCLEX
Practice Questions |
Guaranteed success|
Updated 2026 Questions and Answers
100% Verified Exam Prep and Comprehensive
Rationales
Included
,pH range 7.35-7.45
Bicarb range (HCO3) 22-26
relationship between Co2 and pH Inverse
PaCO2 normal range 35-45 mm Hg
hypoxemia deficient amount of oxygen in the blood
<80
Causes of respiratory acidosis Drug overdose
Airway obstruction
Pulmonary edema
Chest trauma
Hypoventilation
COPD
Pneumonia
Atelectasis
Headache
Hypervolemia
Causes of metabolic acidosis Aspirin overdose
^diarrhea
Kidney failure
Diabetic keto acidosis
Sepsis
Shock
Starvation
Headache
Low BP
Hyperkalemia
Causes of respiratory alkalosis Anxiety
^altitude
Pregnancy
Fever/infection
Hypoxia
Initial stages of pulmonary emboli
Mechanical ventilation
Deep rapid breathing
Hyperventilating
Nausea/vomiting
Hypokalemia
Seizures
Causes of metabolic acidosis Low gastric juices (NGtube)
Overuse of antacids
wasting diuretics (loosing fluids)
Dysrhythmias
^GI suctioning
Muscle cramps
Confusion
Hypokalemia
, Airway remodeling Structural changes of the airway caused by a disease, such as asthma, resulting in
progressive or permanent loss of lung function
Constantly in fightmode
Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) measure of the fastest flow of exhaled air after a maximal inspiration
chronic bronchitis inflammation of the bronchi persisting over a long time
Cough and sputum for 3months
(Kills of cilia)
"Blue bloater"
(Pulmonary hypertension-right sided heart failure (cor pulmonale))
Emphysema a condition in which the air sacs of the lungs are damaged (fully) and enlarged,
causing breathlessness.
"Pink puffer"
Barrel chest
Hyper inflated lungs (trapped air)
Popped lung - pneumothorax
Hard to expel air
Pursed lip breathing
Belly breathing
Rust sputum Pneumonia/ bacteria infection
Chest X-ray
hypoxic drive A condition in which chronically low levels of oxygen in the blood stimulate the
respiratory drive; seen in patients with chronic lung diseases.
Use of chemoreceptors instead of Co2 receptors
Too much O2 = don't need breath
88%-92% spo2
After nebulizer treatment... Deep breathing cough
Assess for altered mental status
Promote activity
Cachectic Extremely skinny, bony, malnourished
Thin and wasted
All energy resources to breath
=^protein+calories
Small meals throughout the day
short acting beta 2 agonists Albuterol
Fast acting rescue drug
Nervousness
Restlessness
Tremor
Albuterol SABA
Levalbuterol SABA
Salmeterol LABA
