NU 455 Respiratory Exam Questions and Answers Already Passed Latest Update 2025-2026
Normal ABG values - Answers pH: 7.35-7.45
PaCO2: 35-45
PaO2: 80-100
Bicarb: 22-26
sp02: greater than 92%
abnormal ABG names - Answers pH less than 7.35 is acidosis
pH greater than 7.45 is alkalosis
Pa02 less than 80 is hypoxemia
Pa02 greater than 100 is hyperoxygenation
low sp02 is hypoxic
PaC02 less than 35 is hypocarbic
PaCo2 greater than 45 is hypercarbic
acid base compensation- kidneys vs lungs - Answers kidneys: bicarb HC03 determines blood pH,
and kidneys compensate in respiratory failure
lungs: carbon dioxide determines blood pH, and in renal failure lungs compensate
metabolic alkalosis - Answers -base excess
-risk factors: HCL loss from vomiting,
metabolic acidosis - Answers base depletion
-risk factors: ketoacidosis, lactic acidosis, renal failure, hypovolemic shock
treat with sodium bicarb IV
hypercarbia - Answers C02 excess occurs in hypoventilation from C02 trapped in blood
-PaCo2 is higher than 50
-COPD, pneumonia, ARDS, asthma, drug OD, neuromuscular disease, chest wall abnormalities/
trauma, CNS depression
, -results in: altered consciousness, death
hypoxemia - Answers Pa02 less than 50mmHg and normal or low paC02
-respiratory alkalosis
-most common type of respiratory failure
- found in pneumonia, pneumothorax, pulmonary edema/ emboli, ARDS, bleeding, tumors,
trauma, infection
hypoxemia early signs vs late signs - Answers early-
restlessness & irritablity
anxious
^RR
^HR
^BP
high AP
pale skin
increased WOB
adventitious lung sounds
late -
cyanosis, circumoral cyanosis, purplish hue in darker-skinned ppl
what should you assess for after an insertion of a central line - Answers -pneumothorax
assess respiratory status
s/s of pulmonary embolism - Answers -dyspnea
-hypoxemia
-hemoptysis
-pleuritic chest pain
s/s of hypercarbia - Answers decreased RR, fatigue, inability to focus, decreased respiratory,
Normal ABG values - Answers pH: 7.35-7.45
PaCO2: 35-45
PaO2: 80-100
Bicarb: 22-26
sp02: greater than 92%
abnormal ABG names - Answers pH less than 7.35 is acidosis
pH greater than 7.45 is alkalosis
Pa02 less than 80 is hypoxemia
Pa02 greater than 100 is hyperoxygenation
low sp02 is hypoxic
PaC02 less than 35 is hypocarbic
PaCo2 greater than 45 is hypercarbic
acid base compensation- kidneys vs lungs - Answers kidneys: bicarb HC03 determines blood pH,
and kidneys compensate in respiratory failure
lungs: carbon dioxide determines blood pH, and in renal failure lungs compensate
metabolic alkalosis - Answers -base excess
-risk factors: HCL loss from vomiting,
metabolic acidosis - Answers base depletion
-risk factors: ketoacidosis, lactic acidosis, renal failure, hypovolemic shock
treat with sodium bicarb IV
hypercarbia - Answers C02 excess occurs in hypoventilation from C02 trapped in blood
-PaCo2 is higher than 50
-COPD, pneumonia, ARDS, asthma, drug OD, neuromuscular disease, chest wall abnormalities/
trauma, CNS depression
, -results in: altered consciousness, death
hypoxemia - Answers Pa02 less than 50mmHg and normal or low paC02
-respiratory alkalosis
-most common type of respiratory failure
- found in pneumonia, pneumothorax, pulmonary edema/ emboli, ARDS, bleeding, tumors,
trauma, infection
hypoxemia early signs vs late signs - Answers early-
restlessness & irritablity
anxious
^RR
^HR
^BP
high AP
pale skin
increased WOB
adventitious lung sounds
late -
cyanosis, circumoral cyanosis, purplish hue in darker-skinned ppl
what should you assess for after an insertion of a central line - Answers -pneumothorax
assess respiratory status
s/s of pulmonary embolism - Answers -dyspnea
-hypoxemia
-hemoptysis
-pleuritic chest pain
s/s of hypercarbia - Answers decreased RR, fatigue, inability to focus, decreased respiratory,
