Arterial Blood Gases Exam Questions And
Answers
An arterial blood specimen submitted for blood gas analysis was
obtained at 8:30 AM but was not received in the laboratory until
11AM. The technologist should:
a) perform the test immediately upon receipt
b) perform the test only if the specimen was submitted in ice water
c) request a venous blood specimen
d) request a new arterial specimen be obtained -
correct answer ✅d) request a new arterial specimen be obtained
Arterial blood gases even maintained in ice water and anearobic
conditions deteriorate within an hour due to diffusion through the
plastic syringe.
[Bishop 2018, p377]
pH > 7.45 = ? -
correct answer ✅alkalosis
Compensatory mechanisms during acute hemorrhage include:
,Arterial Blood Gases Exam Questions And
Answers
A) decreased cerebral and coronary blood flow
B) decreased myocardial contractility
C) renal and splanchnic vasodilation
D) increased respiratory rate
E) decreased renal sodium resorption -
correct answer ✅D) increased respiratory rate
Acute hemorrhage triggers the potent vasopressor activity of both
angiotensin and vasopressin to increase blood flow to the heart and
brain via selective vasoconstriction of the skin, kidneys, and
splanchnic organs. Adrenergic discharge also results in selective
vasoconstriction of skin, renal, and splanchnic vessels.
Myocardial contractility and heart rate are increased, with the
resultant increased cardiac output.
,Arterial Blood Gases Exam Questions And
Answers
Hyperventilation is the typical response to the metabolic (lactic)
acidosis associated with hemorrhagic shock and hypoperfusion.
Aldosterone release, with subsequent increased renal sodium
resorption, is mediated by angiotensin 2 and ACTH, which prevents
further intravascular depletion.
What is the normal range of pO2 in arterial blood? -
correct answer ✅80-100 mmHg
What is the reference range for SaO2 aka arterial oxygen
saturation? -
correct answer ✅95% to 100%.
What is the reference range for pCO2 in arterial blood? -
correct answer ✅35-45 mmHg
What is HCO3 called? -
correct answer ✅bicarbonate
, Arterial Blood Gases Exam Questions And
Answers
What is the normal range for HCO3? -
correct answer ✅22-26 mEq/L
HCO3 > 26 = ? -
correct answer ✅alkalosis
What organ does pCO2 correlate with? -
correct answer ✅Lungs
What organ does HCO3 (bicarbonate) correlate with? -
correct answer ✅Kidneys
what type of electrode measures the blood pH? -
correct answer ✅pH Electrode
What is the base excess? What is the reference range? -
correct answer ✅-The base excess indicates the amount of excess
or insufficient level of bicarbonate in the system.
-The normal range is -2 to +2 mEq/liter.
Answers
An arterial blood specimen submitted for blood gas analysis was
obtained at 8:30 AM but was not received in the laboratory until
11AM. The technologist should:
a) perform the test immediately upon receipt
b) perform the test only if the specimen was submitted in ice water
c) request a venous blood specimen
d) request a new arterial specimen be obtained -
correct answer ✅d) request a new arterial specimen be obtained
Arterial blood gases even maintained in ice water and anearobic
conditions deteriorate within an hour due to diffusion through the
plastic syringe.
[Bishop 2018, p377]
pH > 7.45 = ? -
correct answer ✅alkalosis
Compensatory mechanisms during acute hemorrhage include:
,Arterial Blood Gases Exam Questions And
Answers
A) decreased cerebral and coronary blood flow
B) decreased myocardial contractility
C) renal and splanchnic vasodilation
D) increased respiratory rate
E) decreased renal sodium resorption -
correct answer ✅D) increased respiratory rate
Acute hemorrhage triggers the potent vasopressor activity of both
angiotensin and vasopressin to increase blood flow to the heart and
brain via selective vasoconstriction of the skin, kidneys, and
splanchnic organs. Adrenergic discharge also results in selective
vasoconstriction of skin, renal, and splanchnic vessels.
Myocardial contractility and heart rate are increased, with the
resultant increased cardiac output.
,Arterial Blood Gases Exam Questions And
Answers
Hyperventilation is the typical response to the metabolic (lactic)
acidosis associated with hemorrhagic shock and hypoperfusion.
Aldosterone release, with subsequent increased renal sodium
resorption, is mediated by angiotensin 2 and ACTH, which prevents
further intravascular depletion.
What is the normal range of pO2 in arterial blood? -
correct answer ✅80-100 mmHg
What is the reference range for SaO2 aka arterial oxygen
saturation? -
correct answer ✅95% to 100%.
What is the reference range for pCO2 in arterial blood? -
correct answer ✅35-45 mmHg
What is HCO3 called? -
correct answer ✅bicarbonate
, Arterial Blood Gases Exam Questions And
Answers
What is the normal range for HCO3? -
correct answer ✅22-26 mEq/L
HCO3 > 26 = ? -
correct answer ✅alkalosis
What organ does pCO2 correlate with? -
correct answer ✅Lungs
What organ does HCO3 (bicarbonate) correlate with? -
correct answer ✅Kidneys
what type of electrode measures the blood pH? -
correct answer ✅pH Electrode
What is the base excess? What is the reference range? -
correct answer ✅-The base excess indicates the amount of excess
or insufficient level of bicarbonate in the system.
-The normal range is -2 to +2 mEq/liter.
