NP 235 EXAM SCRIPT 2026 FULL QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS ALREADY PASSED
◉ pH . Answer: •The relative concentration of hydrogen in arterial
blood
❖The chief component of acid-base balance
❖Normal Range is 7.35-7.45
(Acidosis) 7.35 7.40 7.45 (Alkalosis)
◉ PaCO2 . Answer: •Partial pressure of carbon dioxide
⮚CO2 functions as acid reserve
⮚Normal range is 35- 45 mmHg
⮚CO2 levels typically stimulate respiration
⮚pCO2 (Alkalosis) 35 40 45 (acidosis)
◉ Bicarbonate (HCO3) . Answer: •Indicator for the base reserve
•Reflects the kidneys and/ or metabolic function
,•HCO3 (Acidosis) 22 24 26 (Alkalosis)
◉ PaO2 . Answer: •Partial pressure of oxygen
▪Does not play an active role in acid/base balance
▪Normal for adults < 60 years is 80-100mmHg
▪After the age of 60, normal PaO2 levels are slightly lower due to
decreasing lung compliance
Normal 80-100mmHg
Mild 60-80mmHg
Moderate 40-60mmHg
Severe <40mmHg
◉ Oxygen Saturation (SaO2) . Answer: •Percent of hemoglobin which
is bound to oxygen
•Normal is 94-100%
◉ Normal Values . Answer: Low End. High End
•pH (< acidic) 7.35. 7.45 (>alkalotic)
, •pCO2 (<alkalotic)35 45 (>acidic)
•pO2 80mmHg 100 mmHg
•HCO3 (< acidic) 22 26 (>alkalotic)
◉ Is is Metabolic or Respiratory? . Answer: •For Metabolic disorders
remember the Ph changes in the same direction as the HC03
•For Respiratory disorders remember the Ph changes in the opposite
direction as the Co2.
Metabolic Acidosis: Serum pH/Serum HC03 decreased ; the PaCo2
decreases to compensate.
Metabolic Alkalosis: Serum pH/Serum HC03 increased ; the PaCo2
increases to compensate.
Respiratory Acidosis: Serum pH decreased / PaCo2 increased ; the
HC03 increases to compensate
Respiratory Alkalosis: Serum pH increased / PaCo2 decreased ; HC03
decreases to compensate.
◉ Hypoxemia: . Answer: •Low oxygen content in arterial blood (seen
on the ABGs)
AND CORRECT ANSWERS ALREADY PASSED
◉ pH . Answer: •The relative concentration of hydrogen in arterial
blood
❖The chief component of acid-base balance
❖Normal Range is 7.35-7.45
(Acidosis) 7.35 7.40 7.45 (Alkalosis)
◉ PaCO2 . Answer: •Partial pressure of carbon dioxide
⮚CO2 functions as acid reserve
⮚Normal range is 35- 45 mmHg
⮚CO2 levels typically stimulate respiration
⮚pCO2 (Alkalosis) 35 40 45 (acidosis)
◉ Bicarbonate (HCO3) . Answer: •Indicator for the base reserve
•Reflects the kidneys and/ or metabolic function
,•HCO3 (Acidosis) 22 24 26 (Alkalosis)
◉ PaO2 . Answer: •Partial pressure of oxygen
▪Does not play an active role in acid/base balance
▪Normal for adults < 60 years is 80-100mmHg
▪After the age of 60, normal PaO2 levels are slightly lower due to
decreasing lung compliance
Normal 80-100mmHg
Mild 60-80mmHg
Moderate 40-60mmHg
Severe <40mmHg
◉ Oxygen Saturation (SaO2) . Answer: •Percent of hemoglobin which
is bound to oxygen
•Normal is 94-100%
◉ Normal Values . Answer: Low End. High End
•pH (< acidic) 7.35. 7.45 (>alkalotic)
, •pCO2 (<alkalotic)35 45 (>acidic)
•pO2 80mmHg 100 mmHg
•HCO3 (< acidic) 22 26 (>alkalotic)
◉ Is is Metabolic or Respiratory? . Answer: •For Metabolic disorders
remember the Ph changes in the same direction as the HC03
•For Respiratory disorders remember the Ph changes in the opposite
direction as the Co2.
Metabolic Acidosis: Serum pH/Serum HC03 decreased ; the PaCo2
decreases to compensate.
Metabolic Alkalosis: Serum pH/Serum HC03 increased ; the PaCo2
increases to compensate.
Respiratory Acidosis: Serum pH decreased / PaCo2 increased ; the
HC03 increases to compensate
Respiratory Alkalosis: Serum pH increased / PaCo2 decreased ; HC03
decreases to compensate.
◉ Hypoxemia: . Answer: •Low oxygen content in arterial blood (seen
on the ABGs)
