ABGs (Arterial Blood Gases) Practice Questions & Test Bank - Grade A+

NURSING • TESTBANK • PRACTICE QUESTIONS




TESTBANK
ABGs
(Arterial Blood Gases)



PRACTICE QUESTIONS


Answers shown after each question




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Original Educational Practice Questions
For Nursing Students




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1. A patient’s ABG shows pH 7.28, PaCO2 56, HCO3 24. What is the primary imbalance?
A. Metabolic acidosis
B. Respiratory acidosis
C. Metabolic alkalosis
D. Respiratory alkalosis
Answer: B
2. ABG result: pH 7.49, PaCO2 30, HCO3 23. Interpretation?
A. Respiratory acidosis
B. Metabolic alkalosis
C. Respiratory alkalosis
D. Metabolic acidosis
Answer: C
3. pH 7.31, PaCO2 38, HCO3 18. This indicates:
A. Respiratory acidosis
B. Metabolic acidosis
C. Respiratory alkalosis
D. Metabolic alkalosis
Answer: B
4. pH 7.52, PaCO2 44, HCO3 34. Primary problem?
A. Respiratory alkalosis
B. Metabolic alkalosis
C. Respiratory acidosis
D. Metabolic acidosis
Answer: B
5. Normal arterial blood pH range is:
A. 7.25–7.35
B. 7.35–7.45
C. 7.45–7.55
D. 7.00–7.20
Answer: B
6. Normal PaCO2 range is:
A. 22–26 mm Hg
B. 35–45 mm Hg
C. 80–100 mm Hg
D. 7.35–7.45
Answer: B
7. Normal HCO3 range is approximately:
A. 35–45 mEq/L
B. 22–26 mEq/L
C. 80–100 mEq/L
D. 7.35–7.45
Answer: B
8. A patient with COPD is most likely to develop which chronic ABG pattern?
A. Respiratory alkalosis
B. Respiratory acidosis
C. Metabolic alkalosis
D. Metabolic acidosis
Answer: B
9. Kussmaul respirations are a compensatory response to:
A. Respiratory acidosis
B. Metabolic acidosis
C. Metabolic alkalosis
D. Respiratory alkalosis




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Answer: B
10. A patient hyperventilating from anxiety will most likely show:
A. High PaCO2 and low pH
B. Low PaCO2 and high pH
C. High HCO3 and low pH
D. Low HCO3 and high PaCO2
Answer: B
11. In respiratory acidosis the kidneys compensate by:
A. Excreting bicarbonate
B. Retaining bicarbonate
C. Increasing respiratory rate
D. Decreasing hydrogen ion excretion
Answer: B
12. In metabolic acidosis the lungs compensate by:
A. Slowing respirations to retain CO2
B. Increasing respirations to eliminate CO2
C. Stopping ventilation
D. No respiratory change
Answer: B
13. Which ABG is consistent with uncompensated respiratory acidosis?
A. pH low, PaCO2 high, HCO3 normal
B. pH low, PaCO2 high, HCO3 high
C. pH high, PaCO2 low, HCO3 normal
D. pH low, PaCO2 normal, HCO3 low
Answer: A
14. Which ABG suggests partially compensated metabolic acidosis?
A. pH low, HCO3 low, PaCO2 low
B. pH normal, HCO3 low, PaCO2 low
C. pH high, HCO3 high, PaCO2 high
D. pH low, HCO3 normal, PaCO2 high
Answer: A
15. Fully compensated respiratory acidosis typically shows:
A. pH still low, PaCO2 high, HCO3 high
B. pH near normal, PaCO2 high, HCO3 high
C. pH high, PaCO2 low, HCO3 low
D. pH low, PaCO2 normal, HCO3 low
Answer: B
16. A patient with prolonged vomiting is at risk for:
A. Metabolic acidosis
B. Metabolic alkalosis
C. Respiratory acidosis
D. Respiratory alkalosis
Answer: B
17. Severe diarrhea most commonly causes:
A. Metabolic alkalosis
B. Metabolic acidosis
C. Respiratory alkalosis
D. Respiratory acidosis
Answer: B
18. Nasogastric suction for several days can lead to:
A. Metabolic acidosis
B. Metabolic alkalosis




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