Rasmussen University NUR 2243 Module 1 (pdf) | 2026/2027 | Prof
Nursing Skills I Q&A | Nursing
1. Which of the following arterial blood gas values falls within the normal
range for pH?
A) 7.30
B) 7.35
C) 7.50
D) 7.55
Correct Answer: 7.35
Rationale: The normal pH range is 7.35–7.45. A pH of 7.30 indicates acidosis,
while 7.50 and 7.55 indicate alkalosis. Only 7.35 falls within the normal
range.
2. A client's arterial blood gas results show pH 7.32, PaCO2 48 mm Hg, and
HCO3 24 mEq/L. The nurse interprets this as which acid-base imbalance?
A) Metabolic acidosis
B) Metabolic alkalosis
C) Respiratory acidosis
D) Respiratory alkalosis
Correct Answer: Respiratory acidosis
Rationale: The pH is low (7.32), indicating acidosis. The PaCO2 is elevated
(48 mm Hg), which is above the normal range of 35–45, indicating a
respiratory cause. The HCO3 is normal (24 mEq/L). This is uncompensated
respiratory acidosis.
,3. A client's arterial blood gas values are pH 7.48, PaCO2 32 mm Hg, and
HCO3 26 mEq/L. These findings are consistent with which acid-base
imbalance?
A) Metabolic acidosis
B) Respiratory alkalosis
C) Metabolic alkalosis
D) Respiratory acidosis
Correct Answer: Respiratory alkalosis
Rationale: The pH is high (7.48), indicating alkalosis. The PaCO2 is low (32
mm Hg), below the normal range of 35–45, indicating a respiratory cause.
The HCO3 is normal (26 mEq/L). This is uncompensated respiratory alkalosis.
4. A nurse is evaluating the laboratory results of a client with diabetic
ketoacidosis. Which finding indicates the body has fully compensated for the
acid-base imbalance?
A) PaCO2 of 48 mm Hg
B) HCO3 of 18 mEq/L
C) pH of 7.40
D) PaO2 of 88 mm Hg
Correct Answer: pH of 7.40
Rationale: Full compensation for an acid-base imbalance is indicated when
the pH returns to the normal range of 7.35–7.45. A pH of 7.40 is within
normal limits, indicating that the compensatory mechanisms have
successfully restored the pH.
5. Which cause is most commonly associated with metabolic acidosis?
,A) Hyperventilation
B) Kidney failure
C) Vomiting
D) Hypoventilation
Correct Answer: Kidney failure
Rationale: Kidney failure is a common cause of metabolic acidosis because
the kidneys cannot excrete hydrogen ions or reabsorb bicarbonate.
Hyperventilation causes respiratory alkalosis, vomiting causes metabolic
alkalosis, and hypoventilation causes respiratory acidosis.
6. A client is admitted with diabetic ketoacidosis and treated with IV fluids
and insulin. The nurse should monitor for which electrolyte imbalance as the
acid-base imbalance resolves?
A) Hyperkalemia
B) Hypokalemia
C) Hypercalcemia
D) Hyponatremia
Correct Answer: Hypokalemia
Rationale: As metabolic acidosis is corrected with insulin and fluids,
potassium shifts back into the cells, leading to hypokalemia. The nurse
should monitor potassium levels closely during treatment.
7. Which breathing pattern would the nurse expect to observe in a client with
metabolic acidosis?
A) Decreased rate, hypoventilation
, B) Increased rate, hyperventilation
C) Normal rate and depth
D) Cheyne-Stokes respirations
Correct Answer: Increased rate, hyperventilation
Rationale: In metabolic acidosis, the respiratory system compensates by
increasing the rate and depth of respirations to blow off excess carbon
dioxide. Hypoventilation would worsen acidosis. Kussmaul's respirations
(deep, rapid breathing) are characteristic.
8. A client who is hysterical and hyperventilating after learning of a family
member's death is at risk for developing which acid-base imbalance?
A) Respiratory acidosis
B) Metabolic acidosis
C) Respiratory alkalosis
D) Metabolic alkalosis
Correct Answer: Respiratory alkalosis
Rationale: Hyperventilation causes excessive loss of carbon dioxide, leading
to respiratory alkalosis. The rapid, deep breathing blows off CO2, decreasing
PaCO2 and increasing pH.
9. A client's arterial blood gas values are pH 7.34, PaCO2 38 mm Hg, and
HCO3 19 mEq/L. Which assessment should the nurse perform first?
A) Cardiac rate and rhythm
B) Skin and mucous membranes
C) Musculoskeletal strength
Nursing Skills I Q&A | Nursing
1. Which of the following arterial blood gas values falls within the normal
range for pH?
A) 7.30
B) 7.35
C) 7.50
D) 7.55
Correct Answer: 7.35
Rationale: The normal pH range is 7.35–7.45. A pH of 7.30 indicates acidosis,
while 7.50 and 7.55 indicate alkalosis. Only 7.35 falls within the normal
range.
2. A client's arterial blood gas results show pH 7.32, PaCO2 48 mm Hg, and
HCO3 24 mEq/L. The nurse interprets this as which acid-base imbalance?
A) Metabolic acidosis
B) Metabolic alkalosis
C) Respiratory acidosis
D) Respiratory alkalosis
Correct Answer: Respiratory acidosis
Rationale: The pH is low (7.32), indicating acidosis. The PaCO2 is elevated
(48 mm Hg), which is above the normal range of 35–45, indicating a
respiratory cause. The HCO3 is normal (24 mEq/L). This is uncompensated
respiratory acidosis.
,3. A client's arterial blood gas values are pH 7.48, PaCO2 32 mm Hg, and
HCO3 26 mEq/L. These findings are consistent with which acid-base
imbalance?
A) Metabolic acidosis
B) Respiratory alkalosis
C) Metabolic alkalosis
D) Respiratory acidosis
Correct Answer: Respiratory alkalosis
Rationale: The pH is high (7.48), indicating alkalosis. The PaCO2 is low (32
mm Hg), below the normal range of 35–45, indicating a respiratory cause.
The HCO3 is normal (26 mEq/L). This is uncompensated respiratory alkalosis.
4. A nurse is evaluating the laboratory results of a client with diabetic
ketoacidosis. Which finding indicates the body has fully compensated for the
acid-base imbalance?
A) PaCO2 of 48 mm Hg
B) HCO3 of 18 mEq/L
C) pH of 7.40
D) PaO2 of 88 mm Hg
Correct Answer: pH of 7.40
Rationale: Full compensation for an acid-base imbalance is indicated when
the pH returns to the normal range of 7.35–7.45. A pH of 7.40 is within
normal limits, indicating that the compensatory mechanisms have
successfully restored the pH.
5. Which cause is most commonly associated with metabolic acidosis?
,A) Hyperventilation
B) Kidney failure
C) Vomiting
D) Hypoventilation
Correct Answer: Kidney failure
Rationale: Kidney failure is a common cause of metabolic acidosis because
the kidneys cannot excrete hydrogen ions or reabsorb bicarbonate.
Hyperventilation causes respiratory alkalosis, vomiting causes metabolic
alkalosis, and hypoventilation causes respiratory acidosis.
6. A client is admitted with diabetic ketoacidosis and treated with IV fluids
and insulin. The nurse should monitor for which electrolyte imbalance as the
acid-base imbalance resolves?
A) Hyperkalemia
B) Hypokalemia
C) Hypercalcemia
D) Hyponatremia
Correct Answer: Hypokalemia
Rationale: As metabolic acidosis is corrected with insulin and fluids,
potassium shifts back into the cells, leading to hypokalemia. The nurse
should monitor potassium levels closely during treatment.
7. Which breathing pattern would the nurse expect to observe in a client with
metabolic acidosis?
A) Decreased rate, hypoventilation
, B) Increased rate, hyperventilation
C) Normal rate and depth
D) Cheyne-Stokes respirations
Correct Answer: Increased rate, hyperventilation
Rationale: In metabolic acidosis, the respiratory system compensates by
increasing the rate and depth of respirations to blow off excess carbon
dioxide. Hypoventilation would worsen acidosis. Kussmaul's respirations
(deep, rapid breathing) are characteristic.
8. A client who is hysterical and hyperventilating after learning of a family
member's death is at risk for developing which acid-base imbalance?
A) Respiratory acidosis
B) Metabolic acidosis
C) Respiratory alkalosis
D) Metabolic alkalosis
Correct Answer: Respiratory alkalosis
Rationale: Hyperventilation causes excessive loss of carbon dioxide, leading
to respiratory alkalosis. The rapid, deep breathing blows off CO2, decreasing
PaCO2 and increasing pH.
9. A client's arterial blood gas values are pH 7.34, PaCO2 38 mm Hg, and
HCO3 19 mEq/L. Which assessment should the nurse perform first?
A) Cardiac rate and rhythm
B) Skin and mucous membranes
C) Musculoskeletal strength
