Acid-Base balance Test Questions with Answers Rated A
Respiratory acidosis - -pH low, PaCO2 of a client and notes the following: pH 7.45,
high, K+ high. Paco2 of 30 mm Hg (30 mm Hg), and HCO3- of
20 mEq/L (20 mmol/L). The nurse analyzes these
compensated by HCO3 high to bring pH to results as indicating which condition? - -
normal Respiratory alkalosis, compensated
Metabolic acidosis - -pH low, HCO3 low, The nurse is caring for a client with a nasogastric
K+ high tube that is attached to low suction. The nurse
monitors the client for manifestations of which
compensated by PaCO2 low disorder that the client is at risk for? - -
Metabolic alkalosis
Respiratory alkalosis - -pH high, PaCO2
low, K+ low. A client with a 3-day history of nausea and
vomiting presents to the emergency department.
compensated by HCO3 low to bring pH to normal The client is hypoventilating and has a respiratory
rate of 10 breaths/minute. The electrocardiogram
(ECG) monitor displays tachycardia, with a heart
Metabolic alkalosis - -pH high, HCO3 high, rate of 120 beats/minute. Arterial blood gases are
K+ low drawn and the nurse reviews the results,
expecting to note which finding? - -An
compensated by PaCO2 high increased pH and an increased HCO3-
because Nausea & vomiting will cause H+ loss =
Buffer system - -CO2 + H2O = H2CO3 = increased pH.
H(+) + HCO3
It's Metabolic alkalosis = increased HCO3-
What causes
The nurse is caring for a client having respiratory
Metabolic alkalosis? - -loss of hydrogen
distress related to an anxiety attack. Recent
ions or acids or
arterial blood gas values are pH = 7.53, Pao2 =
72 mm Hg (72 mm Hg), Paco2 = 32 mmHg (32
an excess of base bicarbonate
mm Hg), and HCO3- = 28 mEq/L (28 mmol/L).
Which conclusion about the client should the
For example:
-hypovolemia, nurse make? - -The client is probably
-the loss of gastric fluid via NG suction or hyperventilating.
vomitting,
-excessive bicarbonate intake,
-massive transfusion of whole blood, The nurse is caring for a client with diabetic
-hyperaldosteronism. ketoacidosis and documents that the client is
experiencing Kussmaul's respirations. Which
patterns did the nurse observe? Select all that
The nurse reviews the arterial blood gas results apply. - -Respirations that are increased in
rate.
1/6
, Acid-Base balance Test Questions with Answers Rated A
ventilation
Respirations that are abnormally deep
The nurse reviews the arterial blood gas results
A client who is found unresponsive has arterial of an assigned client and notes that the
blood gases drawn and the results indicate the laboratory report indicates a pH of 7.30, Paco2 of
following: pH is 7.12, Paco2 is 90 mm Hg (90 58 mm Hg, Pao2 of 80 mm Hg, and Hco3 of 27
mm Hg), and HCO3- is 22 mEq/L (22 mmol/L). mEq/L (27 mmol/L). The nurse interprets that the
The nurse interprets the results as indicating client has which acid-base disturbance? - -
which condition? - -Respiratory acidosis Respiratory acidosis
without compensation
A client with a history of lung disease is at risk for
The nurse notes that a client's arterial blood gas developing respiratory acidosis. The nurse
(ABG) results reveal a pH of 7.50 and a Paco2 of should assess the client for which signs and
30 mm Hg (30 mm Hg). The nurse monitors the symptoms characteristic of this disorder? -
client for which clinical manifestations associated -Headache, restlessness, Lethargy,
with these ABG results? Select all that apply. - confusion, drowsiness.
-Nausea
Confusion hyperkalemia; rapid, irregular pulse; and
Tachycardia dysrhythmias
Lightheadedness
The nurse is reviewing the arterial blood gas
The nurse reviews the blood gas results of a analysis results for a client in the respiratory care
client with atelectasis. The nurse analyzes the unit who is receiving nasal oxygen and notes a
results and determines that the client is pH of 7.38 (7.38), Paco2 of 38 mm Hg (38 mm
experiencing respiratory acidosis. Which result Hg), Pao2 of 86 mm Hg (86 mm Hg), and HCO3
validates the nurse's findings? - -pH 7.25, of 23 mEq/L (23 mmol/L). What action should the
Paco2 50 mm Hg (50 mm Hg) nurse take in response to these results? - -
Continue monitoring the client.
The nurse is caring for a client who is on a
mechanical ventilator. Blood gas results indicate A client's blood gas results reveal acidosis. What
a pH of 7.50 and a Paco2 of 30 mm Hg (30 mm are some signs and symptoms the nurse would
Hg). The nurse has determined that the client is expect to see? Select all that apply. - -
experiencing respiratory alkalosis. Which Lethargy, headache, weakness, confusion
laboratory value would most likely be noted in
this condition? - -Potassium level of 3.0
mEq/L (3.0 mmol/L) The nurse is reviewing the arterial blood gas
values of a client and notes that the pH is 7.31
(7.31), Paco2 is 50 mm Hg (50 mm Hg), and the
The nurse is caring for a client with several bicarbonate (HCO3) level is 26 mEq/L (26
broken ribs. The client is most likely to mmol/L). The nurse concludes that which acid-
experience what type of acid-base imbalance? - base disturbance is present in this client? -
-Respiratory acidosis from inadequate -Respiratory acidosis
2/6
Respiratory acidosis - -pH low, PaCO2 of a client and notes the following: pH 7.45,
high, K+ high. Paco2 of 30 mm Hg (30 mm Hg), and HCO3- of
20 mEq/L (20 mmol/L). The nurse analyzes these
compensated by HCO3 high to bring pH to results as indicating which condition? - -
normal Respiratory alkalosis, compensated
Metabolic acidosis - -pH low, HCO3 low, The nurse is caring for a client with a nasogastric
K+ high tube that is attached to low suction. The nurse
monitors the client for manifestations of which
compensated by PaCO2 low disorder that the client is at risk for? - -
Metabolic alkalosis
Respiratory alkalosis - -pH high, PaCO2
low, K+ low. A client with a 3-day history of nausea and
vomiting presents to the emergency department.
compensated by HCO3 low to bring pH to normal The client is hypoventilating and has a respiratory
rate of 10 breaths/minute. The electrocardiogram
(ECG) monitor displays tachycardia, with a heart
Metabolic alkalosis - -pH high, HCO3 high, rate of 120 beats/minute. Arterial blood gases are
K+ low drawn and the nurse reviews the results,
expecting to note which finding? - -An
compensated by PaCO2 high increased pH and an increased HCO3-
because Nausea & vomiting will cause H+ loss =
Buffer system - -CO2 + H2O = H2CO3 = increased pH.
H(+) + HCO3
It's Metabolic alkalosis = increased HCO3-
What causes
The nurse is caring for a client having respiratory
Metabolic alkalosis? - -loss of hydrogen
distress related to an anxiety attack. Recent
ions or acids or
arterial blood gas values are pH = 7.53, Pao2 =
72 mm Hg (72 mm Hg), Paco2 = 32 mmHg (32
an excess of base bicarbonate
mm Hg), and HCO3- = 28 mEq/L (28 mmol/L).
Which conclusion about the client should the
For example:
-hypovolemia, nurse make? - -The client is probably
-the loss of gastric fluid via NG suction or hyperventilating.
vomitting,
-excessive bicarbonate intake,
-massive transfusion of whole blood, The nurse is caring for a client with diabetic
-hyperaldosteronism. ketoacidosis and documents that the client is
experiencing Kussmaul's respirations. Which
patterns did the nurse observe? Select all that
The nurse reviews the arterial blood gas results apply. - -Respirations that are increased in
rate.
1/6
, Acid-Base balance Test Questions with Answers Rated A
ventilation
Respirations that are abnormally deep
The nurse reviews the arterial blood gas results
A client who is found unresponsive has arterial of an assigned client and notes that the
blood gases drawn and the results indicate the laboratory report indicates a pH of 7.30, Paco2 of
following: pH is 7.12, Paco2 is 90 mm Hg (90 58 mm Hg, Pao2 of 80 mm Hg, and Hco3 of 27
mm Hg), and HCO3- is 22 mEq/L (22 mmol/L). mEq/L (27 mmol/L). The nurse interprets that the
The nurse interprets the results as indicating client has which acid-base disturbance? - -
which condition? - -Respiratory acidosis Respiratory acidosis
without compensation
A client with a history of lung disease is at risk for
The nurse notes that a client's arterial blood gas developing respiratory acidosis. The nurse
(ABG) results reveal a pH of 7.50 and a Paco2 of should assess the client for which signs and
30 mm Hg (30 mm Hg). The nurse monitors the symptoms characteristic of this disorder? -
client for which clinical manifestations associated -Headache, restlessness, Lethargy,
with these ABG results? Select all that apply. - confusion, drowsiness.
-Nausea
Confusion hyperkalemia; rapid, irregular pulse; and
Tachycardia dysrhythmias
Lightheadedness
The nurse is reviewing the arterial blood gas
The nurse reviews the blood gas results of a analysis results for a client in the respiratory care
client with atelectasis. The nurse analyzes the unit who is receiving nasal oxygen and notes a
results and determines that the client is pH of 7.38 (7.38), Paco2 of 38 mm Hg (38 mm
experiencing respiratory acidosis. Which result Hg), Pao2 of 86 mm Hg (86 mm Hg), and HCO3
validates the nurse's findings? - -pH 7.25, of 23 mEq/L (23 mmol/L). What action should the
Paco2 50 mm Hg (50 mm Hg) nurse take in response to these results? - -
Continue monitoring the client.
The nurse is caring for a client who is on a
mechanical ventilator. Blood gas results indicate A client's blood gas results reveal acidosis. What
a pH of 7.50 and a Paco2 of 30 mm Hg (30 mm are some signs and symptoms the nurse would
Hg). The nurse has determined that the client is expect to see? Select all that apply. - -
experiencing respiratory alkalosis. Which Lethargy, headache, weakness, confusion
laboratory value would most likely be noted in
this condition? - -Potassium level of 3.0
mEq/L (3.0 mmol/L) The nurse is reviewing the arterial blood gas
values of a client and notes that the pH is 7.31
(7.31), Paco2 is 50 mm Hg (50 mm Hg), and the
The nurse is caring for a client with several bicarbonate (HCO3) level is 26 mEq/L (26
broken ribs. The client is most likely to mmol/L). The nurse concludes that which acid-
experience what type of acid-base imbalance? - base disturbance is present in this client? -
-Respiratory acidosis from inadequate -Respiratory acidosis
2/6
