,NUR 2243 EXAM 1 PROFESSIONAL NURSING SKILLS I Questions and
Answers | 2026/2027 | Rasmussen University
Q1. Which arterial blood gas value represents a normal blood pH?
A) 7.30
B) 7.25
C) 7.40
D) 7.50
Correct Answer: C) 7.40
Rationale: Normal arterial pH is approximately 7.35–7.45.
Q2. Which ABG pattern indicates respiratory acidosis?
A) pH 7.30, PaCO₂ 52 mmHg, HCO₃⁻ 24 mEq/L
B) pH 7.50, PaCO₂ 30 mmHg, HCO₃⁻ 24 mEq/L
C) pH 7.30, PaCO₂ 30 mmHg, HCO₃⁻ 18 mEq/L
D) pH 7.48, PaCO₂ 48 mmHg, HCO₃⁻ 32 mEq/L
Correct Answer: A) pH 7.30, PaCO₂ 52 mmHg, HCO₃⁻ 24 mEq/L
Rationale: A low pH with an elevated PaCO₂ indicates a respiratory cause of
acidosis.
Q3. Which ABG pattern indicates respiratory alkalosis?
A) pH 7.30, PaCO₂ 50 mmHg, HCO₃⁻ 24 mEq/L
B) pH 7.48, PaCO₂ 30 mmHg, HCO₃⁻ 24 mEq/L
C) pH 7.28, PaCO₂ 30 mmHg, HCO₃⁻ 18 mEq/L
D) pH 7.40, PaCO₂ 40 mmHg, HCO₃⁻ 24 mEq/L
Correct Answer: B) pH 7.48, PaCO₂ 30 mmHg, HCO₃⁻ 24 mEq/L
Rationale: A high pH with a low PaCO₂ indicates respiratory alkalosis.
Q4. Which ABG pattern indicates metabolic acidosis?
A) pH 7.30, PaCO₂ 38 mmHg, HCO₃⁻ 18 mEq/L
B) pH 7.50, PaCO₂ 32 mmHg, HCO₃⁻ 24 mEq/L
C) pH 7.45, PaCO₂ 44 mmHg, HCO₃⁻ 24 mEq/L
D) pH 7.49, PaCO₂ 45 mmHg, HCO₃⁻ 32 mEq/L
Correct Answer: A) pH 7.30, PaCO₂ 38 mmHg, HCO₃⁻ 18 mEq/L
Rationale: A low pH accompanied by decreased bicarbonate indicates
metabolic acidosis.
, Q5. Which ABG pattern indicates metabolic alkalosis?
A) pH 7.28, PaCO₂ 50 mmHg, HCO₃⁻ 24 mEq/L
B) pH 7.49, PaCO₂ 44 mmHg, HCO₃⁻ 32 mEq/L
C) pH 7.31, PaCO₂ 30 mmHg, HCO₃⁻ 18 mEq/L
D) pH 7.36, PaCO₂ 40 mmHg, HCO₃⁻ 24 mEq/L
Correct Answer: B) pH 7.49, PaCO₂ 44 mmHg, HCO₃⁻ 32 mEq/L
Rationale: A high pH with increased bicarbonate indicates metabolic
alkalosis.
Q6. A client with metabolic acidosis is compensating effectively.
Which respiratory finding should the nurse expect?
A) Slower, shallower respirations
B) Increased rate and depth of respirations
C) Complete cessation of breathing
D) Decreased minute ventilation
Correct Answer: B) Increased rate and depth of respirations
Rationale: The respiratory system compensates for metabolic acidosis by
increasing ventilation and removing carbon dioxide.
Q7. Which condition commonly causes metabolic alkalosis?
A) Prolonged vomiting
B) Diabetic ketoacidosis
C) Severe diarrhea
D) Renal failure
Correct Answer: A) Prolonged vomiting
Rationale: Vomiting causes loss of gastric hydrochloric acid, contributing to
metabolic alkalosis.
Q8. Which condition commonly causes metabolic acidosis?
A) Prolonged vomiting
B) Severe diarrhea
C) Excessive antacid use
D) Nasogastric suction of gastric contents
Correct Answer: B) Severe diarrhea
Rationale: Diarrhea can cause substantial bicarbonate loss from the
gastrointestinal tract, leading to metabolic acidosis.
Q9. Which condition can cause respiratory acidosis?
Answers | 2026/2027 | Rasmussen University
Q1. Which arterial blood gas value represents a normal blood pH?
A) 7.30
B) 7.25
C) 7.40
D) 7.50
Correct Answer: C) 7.40
Rationale: Normal arterial pH is approximately 7.35–7.45.
Q2. Which ABG pattern indicates respiratory acidosis?
A) pH 7.30, PaCO₂ 52 mmHg, HCO₃⁻ 24 mEq/L
B) pH 7.50, PaCO₂ 30 mmHg, HCO₃⁻ 24 mEq/L
C) pH 7.30, PaCO₂ 30 mmHg, HCO₃⁻ 18 mEq/L
D) pH 7.48, PaCO₂ 48 mmHg, HCO₃⁻ 32 mEq/L
Correct Answer: A) pH 7.30, PaCO₂ 52 mmHg, HCO₃⁻ 24 mEq/L
Rationale: A low pH with an elevated PaCO₂ indicates a respiratory cause of
acidosis.
Q3. Which ABG pattern indicates respiratory alkalosis?
A) pH 7.30, PaCO₂ 50 mmHg, HCO₃⁻ 24 mEq/L
B) pH 7.48, PaCO₂ 30 mmHg, HCO₃⁻ 24 mEq/L
C) pH 7.28, PaCO₂ 30 mmHg, HCO₃⁻ 18 mEq/L
D) pH 7.40, PaCO₂ 40 mmHg, HCO₃⁻ 24 mEq/L
Correct Answer: B) pH 7.48, PaCO₂ 30 mmHg, HCO₃⁻ 24 mEq/L
Rationale: A high pH with a low PaCO₂ indicates respiratory alkalosis.
Q4. Which ABG pattern indicates metabolic acidosis?
A) pH 7.30, PaCO₂ 38 mmHg, HCO₃⁻ 18 mEq/L
B) pH 7.50, PaCO₂ 32 mmHg, HCO₃⁻ 24 mEq/L
C) pH 7.45, PaCO₂ 44 mmHg, HCO₃⁻ 24 mEq/L
D) pH 7.49, PaCO₂ 45 mmHg, HCO₃⁻ 32 mEq/L
Correct Answer: A) pH 7.30, PaCO₂ 38 mmHg, HCO₃⁻ 18 mEq/L
Rationale: A low pH accompanied by decreased bicarbonate indicates
metabolic acidosis.
, Q5. Which ABG pattern indicates metabolic alkalosis?
A) pH 7.28, PaCO₂ 50 mmHg, HCO₃⁻ 24 mEq/L
B) pH 7.49, PaCO₂ 44 mmHg, HCO₃⁻ 32 mEq/L
C) pH 7.31, PaCO₂ 30 mmHg, HCO₃⁻ 18 mEq/L
D) pH 7.36, PaCO₂ 40 mmHg, HCO₃⁻ 24 mEq/L
Correct Answer: B) pH 7.49, PaCO₂ 44 mmHg, HCO₃⁻ 32 mEq/L
Rationale: A high pH with increased bicarbonate indicates metabolic
alkalosis.
Q6. A client with metabolic acidosis is compensating effectively.
Which respiratory finding should the nurse expect?
A) Slower, shallower respirations
B) Increased rate and depth of respirations
C) Complete cessation of breathing
D) Decreased minute ventilation
Correct Answer: B) Increased rate and depth of respirations
Rationale: The respiratory system compensates for metabolic acidosis by
increasing ventilation and removing carbon dioxide.
Q7. Which condition commonly causes metabolic alkalosis?
A) Prolonged vomiting
B) Diabetic ketoacidosis
C) Severe diarrhea
D) Renal failure
Correct Answer: A) Prolonged vomiting
Rationale: Vomiting causes loss of gastric hydrochloric acid, contributing to
metabolic alkalosis.
Q8. Which condition commonly causes metabolic acidosis?
A) Prolonged vomiting
B) Severe diarrhea
C) Excessive antacid use
D) Nasogastric suction of gastric contents
Correct Answer: B) Severe diarrhea
Rationale: Diarrhea can cause substantial bicarbonate loss from the
gastrointestinal tract, leading to metabolic acidosis.
Q9. Which condition can cause respiratory acidosis?
