Arterial Blood Gas Interpretation Practice Quiz (Part
1: 20 Items)
1. 1. Question
George Kent is a 54-year-old widower with a history of chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease and was rushed to the emergency
department with increasing shortness of breath, pyrexia, and a
productive cough with yellow-green sputum. He has difficulty
communicating because of his inability to complete a sentence. One of
his sons, Jacob, says he has been unwell for three days. Upon
examination, crackles and wheezes can be heard in the lower lobes; he
has tachycardia and a bounding pulse. Measurement of arterial blood
gas shows pH 7.3, PaCO2 68 mm Hg, HCO3 28 mmol/L, and PaO2
60 mm Hg. How would you interpret this?
o A. Respiratory Acidosis, Uncompensated
o B. Respiratory Acidosis, Partially Compensated
o C. Metabolic Alkalosis, Uncompensated
o D. Metabolic Acidosis, Partially Compensated
Incorrect
Correct Answer: B. Respiratory Acidosis, Partially
Compensated
The patient has respiratory acidosis (raised carbon dioxide) resulting
from an acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,
with partial compensation.
2. 2. Question
Carl, an elementary student, was rushed to the hospital due to
vomiting and a decreased level of consciousness. The patient displays
slow and deep (Kussmaul breathing), and he is lethargic and irritable in
response to stimulation. He appears to be dehydrated—his eyes are
sunken and mucous membranes are dry—and he has a two-week
history of polydipsia, polyuria, and weight loss. Measurement of arterial
blood gas shows pH 7.0, PaO2 90 mm Hg, PaCO2 23 mm Hg, and
, HCO3 12 mmol/L; other results are Na+ 126 mmol/L, K+ 5
mmol/L, and Cl- 95 mmol/L. What is your assessment?
o A. Respiratory Acidosis, Uncompensated
o B. Respiratory Acidosis, Partially Compensated
o C. Metabolic Alkalosis, Uncompensated
o D. Metabolic Acidosis, Partially, Compensated
Incorrect
Correct Answer: D. Metabolic Acidosis, Partially, Compensated
The student was diagnosed with diabetes mellitus. The results show
that he has metabolic acidosis (low HCO3 -) with respiratory
compensation (low CO2).
3. 3. Question
A cigarette vendor was brought to the emergency department of a
hospital after she fell into the ground and hurt her left leg. She is noted
to be tachycardic and tachypneic. Painkillers were carried out to lessen
her pain. Suddenly, she started complaining that she is still in pain and
now experiencing muscle cramps, tingling, and paraesthesia.
Measurement of arterial blood gas reveals pH 7.6, PaO2 120 mm
Hg, PaCO2 31 mm Hg, and HCO3 25 mmol/L. What does this
mean?
o A. Respiratory Alkalosis, Uncompensated
o B. Respiratory Acidosis, Partially Compensated
o C. Metabolic Alkalosis, Uncompensated
o D. Metabolic Alkalosis, Partially Compensated
Incorrect
Correct Answer: A. Respiratory Alkalosis, Uncompensated
The primary disorder is acute respiratory alkalosis (low CO2) due to the
pain and anxiety causing her to hyperventilate. There has not been
time for metabolic compensation.
4. 4. Question
1: 20 Items)
1. 1. Question
George Kent is a 54-year-old widower with a history of chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease and was rushed to the emergency
department with increasing shortness of breath, pyrexia, and a
productive cough with yellow-green sputum. He has difficulty
communicating because of his inability to complete a sentence. One of
his sons, Jacob, says he has been unwell for three days. Upon
examination, crackles and wheezes can be heard in the lower lobes; he
has tachycardia and a bounding pulse. Measurement of arterial blood
gas shows pH 7.3, PaCO2 68 mm Hg, HCO3 28 mmol/L, and PaO2
60 mm Hg. How would you interpret this?
o A. Respiratory Acidosis, Uncompensated
o B. Respiratory Acidosis, Partially Compensated
o C. Metabolic Alkalosis, Uncompensated
o D. Metabolic Acidosis, Partially Compensated
Incorrect
Correct Answer: B. Respiratory Acidosis, Partially
Compensated
The patient has respiratory acidosis (raised carbon dioxide) resulting
from an acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,
with partial compensation.
2. 2. Question
Carl, an elementary student, was rushed to the hospital due to
vomiting and a decreased level of consciousness. The patient displays
slow and deep (Kussmaul breathing), and he is lethargic and irritable in
response to stimulation. He appears to be dehydrated—his eyes are
sunken and mucous membranes are dry—and he has a two-week
history of polydipsia, polyuria, and weight loss. Measurement of arterial
blood gas shows pH 7.0, PaO2 90 mm Hg, PaCO2 23 mm Hg, and
, HCO3 12 mmol/L; other results are Na+ 126 mmol/L, K+ 5
mmol/L, and Cl- 95 mmol/L. What is your assessment?
o A. Respiratory Acidosis, Uncompensated
o B. Respiratory Acidosis, Partially Compensated
o C. Metabolic Alkalosis, Uncompensated
o D. Metabolic Acidosis, Partially, Compensated
Incorrect
Correct Answer: D. Metabolic Acidosis, Partially, Compensated
The student was diagnosed with diabetes mellitus. The results show
that he has metabolic acidosis (low HCO3 -) with respiratory
compensation (low CO2).
3. 3. Question
A cigarette vendor was brought to the emergency department of a
hospital after she fell into the ground and hurt her left leg. She is noted
to be tachycardic and tachypneic. Painkillers were carried out to lessen
her pain. Suddenly, she started complaining that she is still in pain and
now experiencing muscle cramps, tingling, and paraesthesia.
Measurement of arterial blood gas reveals pH 7.6, PaO2 120 mm
Hg, PaCO2 31 mm Hg, and HCO3 25 mmol/L. What does this
mean?
o A. Respiratory Alkalosis, Uncompensated
o B. Respiratory Acidosis, Partially Compensated
o C. Metabolic Alkalosis, Uncompensated
o D. Metabolic Alkalosis, Partially Compensated
Incorrect
Correct Answer: A. Respiratory Alkalosis, Uncompensated
The primary disorder is acute respiratory alkalosis (low CO2) due to the
pain and anxiety causing her to hyperventilate. There has not been
time for metabolic compensation.
4. 4. Question
