FCCN 1 2026 STUDY SHEET MASTER
QUESTIONS WITH ACCURATE ANSWERS
◉SaO2 definition and value. Answer: Oxygen saturation, the amount
of oxygen carried by the red blood cells, normal value is 92% to
100%
◉pH definition and value. Answer: Overall reflection of acid-base
balance in the body, normal value is 7.35 to 7.45.
◉PaCO2 definition and value. Answer: Acid by-product of cell
metabolism that drives and reflects ventilation, normal value is 35 to
45.
◉HCO3 definition and value. Answer: Base that assists in removing
excess acids, normal value is 22 to 26.
◉What are the indications to draw an ABG?. Answer: - somnolence
or change in level of consciousness
- respiratory decompensation
- metabolic imbalances
,- evaluation of changes to respiratory status or monitoring ventilator
settings
◉What are the lab values indicating acidosis?. Answer: - pH less
than 7.35
- PaCO2 greater than 45
- HCO3 less than 22
◉What are the lab values indicating alkalosis?. Answer: - pH greater
than 7.45
- PaCO2 less than 35
- HCO3 greater than 26
◉What values indicate hypoxemia?. Answer: - PaO2 of less than 70
- SaO2 of less than 92%
◉What value indicates excessive oxygen therapy?. Answer: PaO2
greater than 100
◉What is compensation?. Answer: The body tries to return pH to
normal when CO2 or HCO3 levels cause an imbalance
◉What lab value shows full compensation?. Answer: A normal pH
,◉What indicates partial compensation?. Answer: When the pH is
not fully normalized
◉How do we decide what type of imbalance it is if the body is fully
compensated?. Answer: Decide if the pH value is closer to the
acidotic or alkalotic value
◉Causes, assessment, and treatment of respiratory acidosis.
Answer: - caused by retaining CO2 from hypoventilation
- presents as a headache, tachycardia, confusion, or restlessness
- treated by improving ventilation
◉How does the body compensate for respiratory acidosis?. Answer:
The kidneys work slowly to retain HCO3
◉Causes, assessment, and treatment of respiratory alkalosis.
Answer: - caused by blowing off too much CO2 during
hyperventilation
- presents as headache, tachycardia, confusion, or restlessness
- treated by decreasing tidal volume, relieving anxiety, controlling
pain, and correcting hypoxia
, ◉How does the body compensate for respiratory alkalosis?. Answer:
The kidneys work slowly to excrete HCO3
◉Causes, assessment, and treatment of metabolic acidosis. Answer:
- caused by abnormal metabolism, increased acid retention, and
decreased HCO3
- presents as Kussmaul respirations, tachycardia, headache,
weakness, nausea/vomiting, or abdominal pain
- treated by correcting renal failure, HCO3 replacement, control
diarrhea, and improving perfusion
◉How does the body compensate for metabolic acidosis?. Answer:
The lungs work quickly to blow of excess CO2 with hyperventilation
◉Causes, assessment, and treatment of metabolic alkalosis. Answer:
- caused by losing acid by vomiting or NG suction, K+ or Cl- loss
resulting in retaining bases, and increased HCO3
- presents as confusion, muscle cramps, or shallow respirations
- treated by restoring fluids and electrolytes and limiting alkaline
intake
◉How does the body compensate for metabolic alkalosis?. Answer:
The lungs work to hold onto CO2 by causing hypoventilation
QUESTIONS WITH ACCURATE ANSWERS
◉SaO2 definition and value. Answer: Oxygen saturation, the amount
of oxygen carried by the red blood cells, normal value is 92% to
100%
◉pH definition and value. Answer: Overall reflection of acid-base
balance in the body, normal value is 7.35 to 7.45.
◉PaCO2 definition and value. Answer: Acid by-product of cell
metabolism that drives and reflects ventilation, normal value is 35 to
45.
◉HCO3 definition and value. Answer: Base that assists in removing
excess acids, normal value is 22 to 26.
◉What are the indications to draw an ABG?. Answer: - somnolence
or change in level of consciousness
- respiratory decompensation
- metabolic imbalances
,- evaluation of changes to respiratory status or monitoring ventilator
settings
◉What are the lab values indicating acidosis?. Answer: - pH less
than 7.35
- PaCO2 greater than 45
- HCO3 less than 22
◉What are the lab values indicating alkalosis?. Answer: - pH greater
than 7.45
- PaCO2 less than 35
- HCO3 greater than 26
◉What values indicate hypoxemia?. Answer: - PaO2 of less than 70
- SaO2 of less than 92%
◉What value indicates excessive oxygen therapy?. Answer: PaO2
greater than 100
◉What is compensation?. Answer: The body tries to return pH to
normal when CO2 or HCO3 levels cause an imbalance
◉What lab value shows full compensation?. Answer: A normal pH
,◉What indicates partial compensation?. Answer: When the pH is
not fully normalized
◉How do we decide what type of imbalance it is if the body is fully
compensated?. Answer: Decide if the pH value is closer to the
acidotic or alkalotic value
◉Causes, assessment, and treatment of respiratory acidosis.
Answer: - caused by retaining CO2 from hypoventilation
- presents as a headache, tachycardia, confusion, or restlessness
- treated by improving ventilation
◉How does the body compensate for respiratory acidosis?. Answer:
The kidneys work slowly to retain HCO3
◉Causes, assessment, and treatment of respiratory alkalosis.
Answer: - caused by blowing off too much CO2 during
hyperventilation
- presents as headache, tachycardia, confusion, or restlessness
- treated by decreasing tidal volume, relieving anxiety, controlling
pain, and correcting hypoxia
, ◉How does the body compensate for respiratory alkalosis?. Answer:
The kidneys work slowly to excrete HCO3
◉Causes, assessment, and treatment of metabolic acidosis. Answer:
- caused by abnormal metabolism, increased acid retention, and
decreased HCO3
- presents as Kussmaul respirations, tachycardia, headache,
weakness, nausea/vomiting, or abdominal pain
- treated by correcting renal failure, HCO3 replacement, control
diarrhea, and improving perfusion
◉How does the body compensate for metabolic acidosis?. Answer:
The lungs work quickly to blow of excess CO2 with hyperventilation
◉Causes, assessment, and treatment of metabolic alkalosis. Answer:
- caused by losing acid by vomiting or NG suction, K+ or Cl- loss
resulting in retaining bases, and increased HCO3
- presents as confusion, muscle cramps, or shallow respirations
- treated by restoring fluids and electrolytes and limiting alkaline
intake
◉How does the body compensate for metabolic alkalosis?. Answer:
The lungs work to hold onto CO2 by causing hypoventilation
