NUR 2392 EXAM 2
Multidimensional Care II – Acid-Base Imbalances,
Upper GI Disorders, and Cancer Management –
Questions with Answers and Rationales
Instructions: This exam contains multiple-choice questions covering the core content tested on NUR
2392 Exam 2 at Rasmussen University. Topics include arterial blood gas interpretation, acid-base
imbalances, electrolyte relationships, upper gastrointestinal disorders (GERD, gastritis, PUD, oral
cancer), and cancer management (staging, grading, prevention)
1. A patient has an arterial blood gas result of pH 7.30, PaCO2 52 mmHg, and
HCO3 25 mEq/L. How should the nurse interpret this?
A. Respiratory acidosis
B. Respiratory alkalosis
C. Metabolic acidosis
D. Metabolic alkalosis
Correct Answer: A — Respiratory acidosis
Rationale: The pH is below 7.35, indicating acidosis. The PaCO2 is elevated above
45 mmHg, pointing to a respiratory cause. The bicarbonate is within normal range
(22-26 mEq/L), indicating uncompensated respiratory acidosis .
2. A patient's ABG results are pH 7.48, PaCO2 30 mmHg, and HCO3 24 mEq/L.
Which condition does this represent?
A. Uncompensated respiratory alkalosis
B. Partially compensated metabolic alkalosis
,C. Uncompensated metabolic acidosis
D. Fully compensated respiratory acidosis
Correct Answer: A — Uncompensated respiratory alkalosis
Rationale: The pH is elevated (alkalosis), and the PaCO2 is low (respiratory cause).
The bicarbonate is normal, indicating no metabolic compensation. This is
uncompensated respiratory alkalosis .
3. Which condition is a common cause of metabolic acidosis?
A. Prolonged vomiting
B. Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)
C. Nasogastric suctioning
D. Hyperaldosteronism
Correct Answer: B — Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)
Rationale: Metabolic acidosis is caused by conditions that increase acid production
or decrease bicarbonate. DKA causes ketone body accumulation, leading to
metabolic acidosis. Prolonged vomiting, NG suctioning, and hyperaldosteronism
cause metabolic alkalosis .
4. A patient with metabolic acidosis would most likely exhibit which sign?
A. Hyperreflexia and tetany
B. Kussmaul respirations
C. Positive Trousseau sign
D. Muscle cramping and twitching
, Correct Answer: B — Kussmaul respirations
Rationale: In metabolic acidosis, the body compensates with deep, rapid breathing
(Kussmaul respirations) to blow off CO2 and raise pH. Hyperreflexia, tetany, and
positive Trousseau sign are signs of metabolic alkalosis .
5. Which electrolyte imbalance is associated with acidosis?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypocalcemia
Correct Answer: A — Hyperkalemia
Rationale: Acidosis causes potassium to shift out of cells into the extracellular
fluid, leading to hyperkalemia. Alkalosis causes hypokalemia and hypocalcemia .
6. A patient with metabolic alkalosis would most likely exhibit which sign?
A. Bradycardia and hypotension
B. Warm, flushed, dry skin
C. Positive Chvostek sign
D. Kussmaul respirations
Correct Answer: C — Positive Chvostek sign
Rationale: Metabolic alkalosis increases the excitability of tissues, causing tetany,
hyperreflexia, and positive Chvostek and Trousseau signs. Bradycardia, warm
flushed skin, and Kussmaul respirations are signs of metabolic acidosis .
Multidimensional Care II – Acid-Base Imbalances,
Upper GI Disorders, and Cancer Management –
Questions with Answers and Rationales
Instructions: This exam contains multiple-choice questions covering the core content tested on NUR
2392 Exam 2 at Rasmussen University. Topics include arterial blood gas interpretation, acid-base
imbalances, electrolyte relationships, upper gastrointestinal disorders (GERD, gastritis, PUD, oral
cancer), and cancer management (staging, grading, prevention)
1. A patient has an arterial blood gas result of pH 7.30, PaCO2 52 mmHg, and
HCO3 25 mEq/L. How should the nurse interpret this?
A. Respiratory acidosis
B. Respiratory alkalosis
C. Metabolic acidosis
D. Metabolic alkalosis
Correct Answer: A — Respiratory acidosis
Rationale: The pH is below 7.35, indicating acidosis. The PaCO2 is elevated above
45 mmHg, pointing to a respiratory cause. The bicarbonate is within normal range
(22-26 mEq/L), indicating uncompensated respiratory acidosis .
2. A patient's ABG results are pH 7.48, PaCO2 30 mmHg, and HCO3 24 mEq/L.
Which condition does this represent?
A. Uncompensated respiratory alkalosis
B. Partially compensated metabolic alkalosis
,C. Uncompensated metabolic acidosis
D. Fully compensated respiratory acidosis
Correct Answer: A — Uncompensated respiratory alkalosis
Rationale: The pH is elevated (alkalosis), and the PaCO2 is low (respiratory cause).
The bicarbonate is normal, indicating no metabolic compensation. This is
uncompensated respiratory alkalosis .
3. Which condition is a common cause of metabolic acidosis?
A. Prolonged vomiting
B. Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)
C. Nasogastric suctioning
D. Hyperaldosteronism
Correct Answer: B — Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)
Rationale: Metabolic acidosis is caused by conditions that increase acid production
or decrease bicarbonate. DKA causes ketone body accumulation, leading to
metabolic acidosis. Prolonged vomiting, NG suctioning, and hyperaldosteronism
cause metabolic alkalosis .
4. A patient with metabolic acidosis would most likely exhibit which sign?
A. Hyperreflexia and tetany
B. Kussmaul respirations
C. Positive Trousseau sign
D. Muscle cramping and twitching
, Correct Answer: B — Kussmaul respirations
Rationale: In metabolic acidosis, the body compensates with deep, rapid breathing
(Kussmaul respirations) to blow off CO2 and raise pH. Hyperreflexia, tetany, and
positive Trousseau sign are signs of metabolic alkalosis .
5. Which electrolyte imbalance is associated with acidosis?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypocalcemia
Correct Answer: A — Hyperkalemia
Rationale: Acidosis causes potassium to shift out of cells into the extracellular
fluid, leading to hyperkalemia. Alkalosis causes hypokalemia and hypocalcemia .
6. A patient with metabolic alkalosis would most likely exhibit which sign?
A. Bradycardia and hypotension
B. Warm, flushed, dry skin
C. Positive Chvostek sign
D. Kussmaul respirations
Correct Answer: C — Positive Chvostek sign
Rationale: Metabolic alkalosis increases the excitability of tissues, causing tetany,
hyperreflexia, and positive Chvostek and Trousseau signs. Bradycardia, warm
flushed skin, and Kussmaul respirations are signs of metabolic acidosis .
