Nursing 3450 - ABG - Practice Questions And
Answers - Part 1 - Summer 2025 Exam
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? -
correct answer ✅Respiratory Acidosis
Partially compensated
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? -
correct answer ✅Metabolic Acidosis
, Nursing 3450 - ABG - Practice Questions And
Answers - Part 1 - Summer 2025 Exam
Partially Compensated, results show that he has metabolic acidosis
(low HCO3 -) with respiratory compensation (low CO2).
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? -
correct answer ✅Respiratory Alkalosis
Uncompensated, because there has not been time for metabolic
compensation.
Ricky's grandmother has been suffering from persistent vomiting
for two days now. She appears to be lethargic and weak and has
myalgia. She is noted to have dry mucus membranes and her
capillary refill takes >4 seconds. She is diagnosed as having
gastroenteritis and dehydration. Measurement of arterial blood gas
shows pH 7.5, PaO2 85 mm Hg, PaCO2 40 mm Hg, and HCO3 34
mmol/L. What acid-base disorder is shown? -
correct answer ✅Metabolic Alkalosis
Answers - Part 1 - Summer 2025 Exam
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? -
correct answer ✅Respiratory Acidosis
Partially compensated
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? -
correct answer ✅Metabolic Acidosis
, Nursing 3450 - ABG - Practice Questions And
Answers - Part 1 - Summer 2025 Exam
Partially Compensated, results show that he has metabolic acidosis
(low HCO3 -) with respiratory compensation (low CO2).
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? -
correct answer ✅Respiratory Alkalosis
Uncompensated, because there has not been time for metabolic
compensation.
Ricky's grandmother has been suffering from persistent vomiting
for two days now. She appears to be lethargic and weak and has
myalgia. She is noted to have dry mucus membranes and her
capillary refill takes >4 seconds. She is diagnosed as having
gastroenteritis and dehydration. Measurement of arterial blood gas
shows pH 7.5, PaO2 85 mm Hg, PaCO2 40 mm Hg, and HCO3 34
mmol/L. What acid-base disorder is shown? -
correct answer ✅Metabolic Alkalosis
