ABG Interpretation Questions and Answers
(100% Correct Answers) Already Graded A+
Normal pH range [ Ans: ] 7.35-7.45
Alkalotic pH value [ Ans: ] pH > 7.45
Acidotic pH value [ Ans: ] pH < 7.35
What pH value would cause serious cardiac arrhythmias
and poor cardiac contractility? [ Ans: ] pH < 7.20
Normal pCO2 range [ Ans: ] 35-45 mmHg/Torr
Alkalotic pCO2 value [ Ans: ] pCO2 < 35 mmHg
Acidotic pCO2 value [ Ans: ] pCO2 > 45 mmHg
Hypercapnia [ Ans: ] High level of paCO2 in the blood
Hypoventilation [ Ans: ] Ventilation (RR or tidal volume) is
less than normal
What effect does hypoventilation have on paCO2? [ Ans: ]
Hypoventilation causes paCO2 to increase
HCO3- [ Ans: ] Bicarbonate
Normal HCO3- range [ Ans: ] 22-26 meq/L
Alkalotic HCO3- value [ Ans: ] HCO3- > 26 meq/L
, Acidotic HCO3- value [ Ans: ] HCO3- < 22 meq/L
True or False: HCO3- is a base. [ Ans: ] True
Compensation [ Ans: ] The body's way of trying to correct
the acid base disturbance
What are the three types of compensation? [ Ans: ] 1.
Completely compensated
2. Partially compensated
3. Uncompensated
Completely compensated [ Ans: ] Occurs when the pH is in
normal range, but HCO3- and/or pCO2 is not in normal
range
Chronic [ Ans: ] The condition in which the body has had
time to compensate for an abnormality (also called
completely compensated)
Partially compensated [ Ans: ] Occurs when the pH is out
of range and compensatory activity has begun, but has
not had enough time to restore the pH to normal
Uncompensated [ Ans: ] Occurs when pH is out of range
and no compensatory activity has begun
Acute [ Ans: ] The condition in which the body has NOT
had time to compensate (also called uncompensated)
(100% Correct Answers) Already Graded A+
Normal pH range [ Ans: ] 7.35-7.45
Alkalotic pH value [ Ans: ] pH > 7.45
Acidotic pH value [ Ans: ] pH < 7.35
What pH value would cause serious cardiac arrhythmias
and poor cardiac contractility? [ Ans: ] pH < 7.20
Normal pCO2 range [ Ans: ] 35-45 mmHg/Torr
Alkalotic pCO2 value [ Ans: ] pCO2 < 35 mmHg
Acidotic pCO2 value [ Ans: ] pCO2 > 45 mmHg
Hypercapnia [ Ans: ] High level of paCO2 in the blood
Hypoventilation [ Ans: ] Ventilation (RR or tidal volume) is
less than normal
What effect does hypoventilation have on paCO2? [ Ans: ]
Hypoventilation causes paCO2 to increase
HCO3- [ Ans: ] Bicarbonate
Normal HCO3- range [ Ans: ] 22-26 meq/L
Alkalotic HCO3- value [ Ans: ] HCO3- > 26 meq/L
, Acidotic HCO3- value [ Ans: ] HCO3- < 22 meq/L
True or False: HCO3- is a base. [ Ans: ] True
Compensation [ Ans: ] The body's way of trying to correct
the acid base disturbance
What are the three types of compensation? [ Ans: ] 1.
Completely compensated
2. Partially compensated
3. Uncompensated
Completely compensated [ Ans: ] Occurs when the pH is in
normal range, but HCO3- and/or pCO2 is not in normal
range
Chronic [ Ans: ] The condition in which the body has had
time to compensate for an abnormality (also called
completely compensated)
Partially compensated [ Ans: ] Occurs when the pH is out
of range and compensatory activity has begun, but has
not had enough time to restore the pH to normal
Uncompensated [ Ans: ] Occurs when pH is out of range
and no compensatory activity has begun
Acute [ Ans: ] The condition in which the body has NOT
had time to compensate (also called uncompensated)
