Acid-Base balance QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 100%
CORRECT
Respiratory acidosis Correct Answer: pH low, PaCO2 high, K+ high.
compensated by HCO3 high to bring pH to normal
Metabolic acidosis Correct Answer: pH low, HCO3 low, K+ high
compensated by PaCO2 low
Respiratory alkalosis Correct Answer: pH high, PaCO2 low, K+ low.
compensated by HCO3 low to bring pH to normal
Metabolic alkalosis Correct Answer: pH high, HCO3 high, K+ low
compensated by PaCO2 high
Buffer system Correct Answer: CO2 + H2O = H2CO3 = H(+) + HCO3
What causes
Metabolic alkalosis? Correct Answer: loss of hydrogen ions or acids or
an excess of base bicarbonate
For example:
-hypovolemia,
-the loss of gastric fluid via NG suction or vomitting,
-excessive bicarbonate intake,
-massive transfusion of whole blood,
-hyperaldosteronism.
The nurse reviews the arterial blood gas results of a client and notes the following: pH 7.45,
Paco2 of 30 mm Hg (30 mm Hg), and HCO3- of 20 mEq/L (20 mmol/L). The nurse analyzes
these results as indicating which condition? Correct Answer: Respiratory alkalosis, compensated
The nurse is caring for a client with a nasogastric tube that is attached to low suction. The nurse
monitors the client for manifestations of which disorder that the client is at risk for? Correct
Answer: Metabolic alkalosis
A client with a 3-day history of nausea and vomiting presents to the emergency department. The
client is hypoventilating and has a respiratory rate of 10 breaths/minute. The electrocardiogram
(ECG) monitor displays tachycardia, with a heart rate of 120 beats/minute. Arterial blood gases
, are drawn and the nurse reviews the results, expecting to note which finding? Correct Answer:
An increased pH and an increased HCO3-
because Nausea & vomiting will cause H+ loss = increased pH.
It's Metabolic alkalosis = increased HCO3-
The nurse is caring for a client having respiratory distress related to an anxiety attack. Recent
arterial blood gas values are pH = 7.53, Pao2 = 72 mm Hg (72 mm Hg), Paco2 = 32 mmHg (32
mm Hg), and HCO3- = 28 mEq/L (28 mmol/L). Which conclusion about the client should the
nurse make? Correct Answer: The client is probably hyperventilating.
The nurse is caring for a client with diabetic ketoacidosis and documents that the client is
experiencing Kussmaul's respirations. Which patterns did the nurse observe? Select all that
apply. Correct Answer: Respirations that are increased in rate.
Respirations that are abnormally deep
A client who is found unresponsive has arterial blood gases drawn and the results indicate the
following: pH is 7.12, Paco2 is 90 mm Hg (90 mm Hg), and HCO3- is 22 mEq/L (22 mmol/L).
The nurse interprets the results as indicating which condition? Correct Answer: Respiratory
acidosis without compensation
The nurse notes that a client's arterial blood gas (ABG) results reveal a pH of 7.50 and a Paco2 of
30 mm Hg (30 mm Hg). The nurse monitors the client for which clinical manifestations
associated with these ABG results? Select all that apply. Correct Answer: Nausea
Confusion
Tachycardia
Lightheadedness
The nurse reviews the blood gas results of a client with atelectasis. The nurse analyzes the results
and determines that the client is experiencing respiratory acidosis. Which result validates the
nurse's findings? Correct Answer: pH 7.25, Paco2 50 mm Hg (50 mm Hg)
The nurse is caring for a client who is on a mechanical ventilator. Blood gas results indicate a pH
of 7.50 and a Paco2 of 30 mm Hg (30 mm Hg). The nurse has determined that the client is
experiencing respiratory alkalosis. Which laboratory value would most likely be noted in this
condition? Correct Answer: Potassium level of 3.0 mEq/L (3.0 mmol/L)
The nurse is caring for a client with several broken ribs. The client is most likely to experience
what type of acid-base imbalance? Correct Answer: Respiratory acidosis from inadequate
ventilation
The nurse reviews the arterial blood gas results of an assigned client and notes that the laboratory
report indicates a pH of 7.30, Paco2 of 58 mm Hg, Pao2 of 80 mm Hg, and Hco3 of 27 mEq/L
CORRECT
Respiratory acidosis Correct Answer: pH low, PaCO2 high, K+ high.
compensated by HCO3 high to bring pH to normal
Metabolic acidosis Correct Answer: pH low, HCO3 low, K+ high
compensated by PaCO2 low
Respiratory alkalosis Correct Answer: pH high, PaCO2 low, K+ low.
compensated by HCO3 low to bring pH to normal
Metabolic alkalosis Correct Answer: pH high, HCO3 high, K+ low
compensated by PaCO2 high
Buffer system Correct Answer: CO2 + H2O = H2CO3 = H(+) + HCO3
What causes
Metabolic alkalosis? Correct Answer: loss of hydrogen ions or acids or
an excess of base bicarbonate
For example:
-hypovolemia,
-the loss of gastric fluid via NG suction or vomitting,
-excessive bicarbonate intake,
-massive transfusion of whole blood,
-hyperaldosteronism.
The nurse reviews the arterial blood gas results of a client and notes the following: pH 7.45,
Paco2 of 30 mm Hg (30 mm Hg), and HCO3- of 20 mEq/L (20 mmol/L). The nurse analyzes
these results as indicating which condition? Correct Answer: Respiratory alkalosis, compensated
The nurse is caring for a client with a nasogastric tube that is attached to low suction. The nurse
monitors the client for manifestations of which disorder that the client is at risk for? Correct
Answer: Metabolic alkalosis
A client with a 3-day history of nausea and vomiting presents to the emergency department. The
client is hypoventilating and has a respiratory rate of 10 breaths/minute. The electrocardiogram
(ECG) monitor displays tachycardia, with a heart rate of 120 beats/minute. Arterial blood gases
, are drawn and the nurse reviews the results, expecting to note which finding? Correct Answer:
An increased pH and an increased HCO3-
because Nausea & vomiting will cause H+ loss = increased pH.
It's Metabolic alkalosis = increased HCO3-
The nurse is caring for a client having respiratory distress related to an anxiety attack. Recent
arterial blood gas values are pH = 7.53, Pao2 = 72 mm Hg (72 mm Hg), Paco2 = 32 mmHg (32
mm Hg), and HCO3- = 28 mEq/L (28 mmol/L). Which conclusion about the client should the
nurse make? Correct Answer: The client is probably hyperventilating.
The nurse is caring for a client with diabetic ketoacidosis and documents that the client is
experiencing Kussmaul's respirations. Which patterns did the nurse observe? Select all that
apply. Correct Answer: Respirations that are increased in rate.
Respirations that are abnormally deep
A client who is found unresponsive has arterial blood gases drawn and the results indicate the
following: pH is 7.12, Paco2 is 90 mm Hg (90 mm Hg), and HCO3- is 22 mEq/L (22 mmol/L).
The nurse interprets the results as indicating which condition? Correct Answer: Respiratory
acidosis without compensation
The nurse notes that a client's arterial blood gas (ABG) results reveal a pH of 7.50 and a Paco2 of
30 mm Hg (30 mm Hg). The nurse monitors the client for which clinical manifestations
associated with these ABG results? Select all that apply. Correct Answer: Nausea
Confusion
Tachycardia
Lightheadedness
The nurse reviews the blood gas results of a client with atelectasis. The nurse analyzes the results
and determines that the client is experiencing respiratory acidosis. Which result validates the
nurse's findings? Correct Answer: pH 7.25, Paco2 50 mm Hg (50 mm Hg)
The nurse is caring for a client who is on a mechanical ventilator. Blood gas results indicate a pH
of 7.50 and a Paco2 of 30 mm Hg (30 mm Hg). The nurse has determined that the client is
experiencing respiratory alkalosis. Which laboratory value would most likely be noted in this
condition? Correct Answer: Potassium level of 3.0 mEq/L (3.0 mmol/L)
The nurse is caring for a client with several broken ribs. The client is most likely to experience
what type of acid-base imbalance? Correct Answer: Respiratory acidosis from inadequate
ventilation
The nurse reviews the arterial blood gas results of an assigned client and notes that the laboratory
report indicates a pH of 7.30, Paco2 of 58 mm Hg, Pao2 of 80 mm Hg, and Hco3 of 27 mEq/L
