NUR 327 Final exam | Q&A | 2026/2027 | Nursing | Health and Illness
Concepts | ASU | Graded A+
1. A client's arterial blood gas (ABG) results are: pH 7.30, PaCO2 50 mmHg,
HCO3- 24 mEq/L. Which acid-base imbalance does this represent?
A) Respiratory alkalosis
B) Respiratory acidosis
C) Metabolic alkalosis
D) Metabolic acidosis
Correct Answer: Respiratory acidosis
Rationale: The pH is below normal (7.35-7.45), indicating acidosis. The
PaCO2 is elevated above normal (35-45 mmHg), indicating a respiratory
cause. The HCO3- is normal (22-26 mEq/L), indicating no renal compensation
yet. This is uncompensated respiratory acidosis.
2. A client's ABG results are: pH 7.32, PaCO2 48 mmHg, HCO3- 28 mEq/L.
The nurse correctly interprets this as:
A) Uncompensated respiratory acidosis
B) Partially compensated respiratory acidosis
C) Fully compensated respiratory acidosis
D) Metabolic acidosis with respiratory compensation
Correct Answer: Partially compensated respiratory acidosis
Rationale: The pH is low (acidosis) with an elevated PaCO2 (respiratory
cause). The HCO3- is elevated above normal, indicating the kidneys are
attempting to compensate. Since the pH is still abnormal, this is partial
compensation. Full compensation would have a normal pH.
,3. A client's ABG results are: pH 7.48, PaCO2 30 mmHg, HCO3- 22 mEq/L.
This indicates:
A) Respiratory acidosis
B) Respiratory alkalosis
C) Metabolic acidosis
D) Metabolic alkalosis
Correct Answer: Respiratory alkalosis
Rationale: The pH is elevated above 7.45, indicating alkalosis. The PaCO2 is
low, indicating a respiratory cause (hyperventilation). The HCO3- is normal,
indicating no metabolic compensation. This is uncompensated respiratory
alkalosis.
4. A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has the
following ABGs: pH 7.36, PaCO2 55 mmHg, HCO3- 32 mEq/L. The nurse
correctly interprets this as:
A) Uncompensated respiratory acidosis
B) Partially compensated respiratory acidosis
C) Fully compensated respiratory acidosis
D) Metabolic alkalosis
Correct Answer: Fully compensated respiratory acidosis
Rationale: The pH is within normal range (7.35-7.45), indicating
compensation has occurred. The PaCO2 is elevated, indicating a chronic
respiratory problem. The HCO3- is elevated, indicating renal compensation.
The pH is normal, so this is fully compensated respiratory acidosis.
,5. A client has a serum potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L. The nurse recognizes
this as:
A) Hypokalemia
B) Hyperkalemia
C) Normal potassium level
D) Hypocalcemia
Correct Answer: Hyperkalemia
Rationale: Normal serum potassium is 3.5-5.0 mEq/L. A level of 6.2 mEq/L is
elevated and indicates hyperkalemia, which can cause life-threatening
cardiac arrhythmias. The nurse should notify the healthcare provider
immediately.
6. A client has a serum potassium level of 3.0 mEq/L. The nurse recognizes
this as:
A) Hypokalemia
B) Hyperkalemia
C) Normal potassium level
D) Hypercalcemia
Correct Answer: Hypokalemia
Rationale: Normal serum potassium is 3.5-5.0 mEq/L. A level of 3.0 mEq/L is
below normal and indicates hypokalemia. Manifestations include muscle
weakness, cardiac arrhythmias, and fatigue.
7. A student nurse is calculating a potassium replacement dose. The order is
for 40 mEq of potassium chloride. The available concentration is 20 mEq per
10 mL. How many mL should the nurse administer?
, A) 10 mL
B) 20 mL
C) 30 mL
D) 40 mL
Correct Answer: 20 mL
Rationale: To calculate: 40 mEq ÷ 20 mEq per 10 mL = 2 × 10 mL = 20 mL.
The nurse should administer 20 mL to deliver the ordered 40 mEq dose.
8. A client's serum calcium level is 8.0 mg/dL. The nurse recognizes this as:
A) Hypocalcemia
B) Hypercalcemia
C) Normal calcium level
D) Hyperkalemia
Correct Answer: Hypocalcemia
Rationale: Normal serum calcium is 8.5-10.5 mg/dL. A level of 8.0 mg/dL is
slightly below normal, indicating mild hypocalcemia. Manifestations include
muscle cramps, paresthesias, and tetany.
9. A client's serum sodium level is 125 mEq/L. The nurse recognizes this as:
A) Hyponatremia
B) Hypernatremia
C) Normal sodium level
D) Hypokalemia
Concepts | ASU | Graded A+
1. A client's arterial blood gas (ABG) results are: pH 7.30, PaCO2 50 mmHg,
HCO3- 24 mEq/L. Which acid-base imbalance does this represent?
A) Respiratory alkalosis
B) Respiratory acidosis
C) Metabolic alkalosis
D) Metabolic acidosis
Correct Answer: Respiratory acidosis
Rationale: The pH is below normal (7.35-7.45), indicating acidosis. The
PaCO2 is elevated above normal (35-45 mmHg), indicating a respiratory
cause. The HCO3- is normal (22-26 mEq/L), indicating no renal compensation
yet. This is uncompensated respiratory acidosis.
2. A client's ABG results are: pH 7.32, PaCO2 48 mmHg, HCO3- 28 mEq/L.
The nurse correctly interprets this as:
A) Uncompensated respiratory acidosis
B) Partially compensated respiratory acidosis
C) Fully compensated respiratory acidosis
D) Metabolic acidosis with respiratory compensation
Correct Answer: Partially compensated respiratory acidosis
Rationale: The pH is low (acidosis) with an elevated PaCO2 (respiratory
cause). The HCO3- is elevated above normal, indicating the kidneys are
attempting to compensate. Since the pH is still abnormal, this is partial
compensation. Full compensation would have a normal pH.
,3. A client's ABG results are: pH 7.48, PaCO2 30 mmHg, HCO3- 22 mEq/L.
This indicates:
A) Respiratory acidosis
B) Respiratory alkalosis
C) Metabolic acidosis
D) Metabolic alkalosis
Correct Answer: Respiratory alkalosis
Rationale: The pH is elevated above 7.45, indicating alkalosis. The PaCO2 is
low, indicating a respiratory cause (hyperventilation). The HCO3- is normal,
indicating no metabolic compensation. This is uncompensated respiratory
alkalosis.
4. A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has the
following ABGs: pH 7.36, PaCO2 55 mmHg, HCO3- 32 mEq/L. The nurse
correctly interprets this as:
A) Uncompensated respiratory acidosis
B) Partially compensated respiratory acidosis
C) Fully compensated respiratory acidosis
D) Metabolic alkalosis
Correct Answer: Fully compensated respiratory acidosis
Rationale: The pH is within normal range (7.35-7.45), indicating
compensation has occurred. The PaCO2 is elevated, indicating a chronic
respiratory problem. The HCO3- is elevated, indicating renal compensation.
The pH is normal, so this is fully compensated respiratory acidosis.
,5. A client has a serum potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L. The nurse recognizes
this as:
A) Hypokalemia
B) Hyperkalemia
C) Normal potassium level
D) Hypocalcemia
Correct Answer: Hyperkalemia
Rationale: Normal serum potassium is 3.5-5.0 mEq/L. A level of 6.2 mEq/L is
elevated and indicates hyperkalemia, which can cause life-threatening
cardiac arrhythmias. The nurse should notify the healthcare provider
immediately.
6. A client has a serum potassium level of 3.0 mEq/L. The nurse recognizes
this as:
A) Hypokalemia
B) Hyperkalemia
C) Normal potassium level
D) Hypercalcemia
Correct Answer: Hypokalemia
Rationale: Normal serum potassium is 3.5-5.0 mEq/L. A level of 3.0 mEq/L is
below normal and indicates hypokalemia. Manifestations include muscle
weakness, cardiac arrhythmias, and fatigue.
7. A student nurse is calculating a potassium replacement dose. The order is
for 40 mEq of potassium chloride. The available concentration is 20 mEq per
10 mL. How many mL should the nurse administer?
, A) 10 mL
B) 20 mL
C) 30 mL
D) 40 mL
Correct Answer: 20 mL
Rationale: To calculate: 40 mEq ÷ 20 mEq per 10 mL = 2 × 10 mL = 20 mL.
The nurse should administer 20 mL to deliver the ordered 40 mEq dose.
8. A client's serum calcium level is 8.0 mg/dL. The nurse recognizes this as:
A) Hypocalcemia
B) Hypercalcemia
C) Normal calcium level
D) Hyperkalemia
Correct Answer: Hypocalcemia
Rationale: Normal serum calcium is 8.5-10.5 mg/dL. A level of 8.0 mg/dL is
slightly below normal, indicating mild hypocalcemia. Manifestations include
muscle cramps, paresthesias, and tetany.
9. A client's serum sodium level is 125 mEq/L. The nurse recognizes this as:
A) Hyponatremia
B) Hypernatremia
C) Normal sodium level
D) Hypokalemia
