FCCN LEVEL 1 EXAM 2026 PREMIUM EXAM
PREP VERIFIED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
GRADED A+
◉ 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
◉ What are the consequences of a low pH?. Answer: Cardiac
contractions decrease and so does the vascular response to
catecholamines and drugs in the body
PREP VERIFIED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
GRADED A+
◉ 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
◉ What are the consequences of a low pH?. Answer: Cardiac
contractions decrease and so does the vascular response to
catecholamines and drugs in the body
