Nur 1136 – Adult Health Nursing Unit Test 3: Respiratory System Questions And Correct Answers | 2026/2027

NUR 1136 – Test 3: Respiratory Nursing




NUR 1136 – ADULT HEALTH NURSING UNIT TEST 3:
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS | 2026/2027




NUR 1136 – ADULT HEALTH NURSING
UNIT TEST 3: RESPIRATORY SYSTEM




1. The nurse reviews an arterial blood gas report. Which range
represents a normal arterial pH?
A. 7.25 to 7.35
B. 7.35 to 7.45
C. 7.30 to 7.50
D. 7.45 to 7.55
ANSWER B. 7.35 to 7.45
Arterial pH is normally 7.35–7.45; below 7.35 is acidosis and above 7.45
is alkalosis.
2. Which PaCO2 value falls within the normal reference range for an
adult?
A. 60 mmHg
B. 40 mmHg
C. 50 mmHg
D. 30 mmHg
ANSWER B. 40 mmHg
Normal PaCO2 is 35–45 mmHg; it reflects the respiratory (lung)
component of acid–base balance.


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, NUR 1136 – Test 3: Respiratory Nursing


3. The nurse recognizes which bicarbonate (HCO3) level as normal?
A. 30 mEq/L
B. 24 mEq/L
C. 40 mEq/L
D. 18 mEq/L
ANSWER B. 24 mEq/L
Normal HCO3 is 22–26 mEq/L; it reflects the metabolic (renal)
component.
4. Which PaO2 value in an adult breathing room air is considered
normal?
A. 40 mmHg
B. 90 mmHg
C. 55 mmHg
D. 70 mmHg
ANSWER B. 90 mmHg
Normal PaO2 is 80–100 mmHg; values below 80 mmHg indicate
hypoxemia.
5. A client's ABG results are pH 7.30, PaCO2 55 mmHg, HCO3 24 mEq/L.
How should the nurse interpret these values?
A. Partially compensated respiratory acidosis
B. Uncompensated respiratory acidosis
C. Uncompensated metabolic acidosis
D. Uncompensated respiratory alkalosis
ANSWER B. Uncompensated respiratory acidosis
Low pH with high PaCO2 shows respiratory acidosis; the normal HCO3
means the kidneys have not yet compensated.
6. A client's ABG results are pH 7.50, PaCO2 30 mmHg, HCO3 23 mEq/L.
The nurse interprets this as:
A. Partially compensated metabolic alkalosis
B. Uncompensated respiratory alkalosis
C. Compensated respiratory acidosis
D. Uncompensated metabolic alkalosis
ANSWER B. Uncompensated respiratory alkalosis
High pH with low PaCO2 indicates respiratory alkalosis; normal HCO3
shows no compensation.


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, NUR 1136 – Test 3: Respiratory Nursing


7. ABG results show pH 7.31, PaCO2 38 mmHg, HCO3 17 mEq/L. Which
acid–base imbalance is present?
A. Uncompensated metabolic acidosis
B. Metabolic alkalosis
C. Partially compensated metabolic acidosis
D. Uncompensated respiratory acidosis
ANSWER A. Uncompensated metabolic acidosis
Low pH and low HCO3 point to metabolic acidosis; PaCO2 is still normal,
so the lungs have not compensated.
8. A client has pH 7.49, PaCO2 44 mmHg, HCO3 32 mEq/L. The nurse
identifies:
A. Uncompensated respiratory alkalosis
B. Uncompensated metabolic alkalosis
C. Respiratory acidosis
D. Compensated metabolic alkalosis
ANSWER B. Uncompensated metabolic alkalosis
Elevated pH with elevated HCO3 is metabolic alkalosis; the normal PaCO2
shows no respiratory compensation.
9. A client's ABG values are pH 7.33, PaCO2 60 mmHg, HCO3 32 mEq/L.
Which interpretation is correct?
A. Partially compensated respiratory acidosis
B. Fully compensated respiratory acidosis
C. Partially compensated metabolic alkalosis
D. Uncompensated respiratory acidosis
ANSWER A. Partially compensated respiratory acidosis
PaCO2 is high (acidosis source) and HCO3 is rising to compensate, but pH
remains abnormal, so compensation is partial.




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, NUR 1136 – Test 3: Respiratory Nursing


10. A client with long-standing COPD has ABG results of pH 7.37, PaCO2
58 mmHg, HCO3 33 mEq/L. The nurse interprets this as:
A. Partially compensated metabolic alkalosis
B. Fully compensated respiratory acidosis
C. Uncompensated respiratory acidosis
D. Normal acid–base balance
ANSWER B. Fully compensated respiratory acidosis
pH is normal but on the acidic side of 7.40, PaCO2 is high, and HCO3 has
risen to fully compensate — typical of chronic CO2 retention.
11. ABG findings are pH 7.29, PaCO2 30 mmHg, HCO3 15 mEq/L. What
is the correct interpretation?
A. Partially compensated metabolic acidosis
B. Partially compensated respiratory alkalosis
C. Fully compensated metabolic acidosis
D. Uncompensated metabolic acidosis
ANSWER A. Partially compensated metabolic acidosis
Low pH and low HCO3 indicate metabolic acidosis; the low PaCO2 shows
the lungs are compensating, but pH is still abnormal.
12. A client's ABG shows pH 7.43, PaCO2 30 mmHg, HCO3 19 mEq/L.
The nurse determines this is:
A. Uncompensated respiratory alkalosis
B. Fully compensated metabolic acidosis
C. Partially compensated metabolic acidosis
D. Fully compensated respiratory alkalosis
ANSWER D. Fully compensated respiratory alkalosis
pH is normal but leans alkaline (above 7.40), so the primary problem is
the low PaCO2, with HCO3 fully compensating.
13. A client is breathing rapidly during a panic attack. Which acid–base
imbalance should the nurse anticipate?
A. Respiratory acidosis
B. Metabolic alkalosis
C. Respiratory alkalosis
D. Metabolic acidosis
ANSWER C. Respiratory alkalosis
Hyperventilation blows off excess CO2, lowering PaCO2 and raising pH.


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