ATI CBC LEVEL 2 TEST EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
VERIFIED 2025/2026.
What does pH tell you - ANS the expression of the balance between carbon dioxide and
bicarbonate
what causes a lower pH in the body - ANS the greater the concentration of hydrogen, the
more acidic the body fluids
what causes a higher pH in the body - ANS the lower the concentration of hydrogen, the
more alkaline the body fluids
hyperventilation and hydrogen ions - ANS causes a decrease in hydrogen ions
hypoventilation and hydrogen ions - ANS causes an increase in hydrogen ions
normal pH for the blood - ANS 7.35-7.45
what causes respiratory acidosis - ANS hypoventilation
what causes hypoventilation - ANS - respiratory depression from opioids, poisons
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
,- brain tumors, stroke, trauma
- muscle weakness, flail chest, obesity, sleep apnea
- airway obstruction
- pneumothorax
manifestations of respiratory acidosis - ANS - tachycardia (severe is bradycardia), tachypnea,
hypertension
- anxiety, irritability, confusion, coma
- ineffective, shallow, rapid breathing
- pale or cyanotic
nursing care for a patient with respiratory acidosis - ANS - oxygen therapy
- maintain patent airway
- positioning and breathing techniques
what causes respiratory alkalosis - ANS hyperventilation
what causes hyperventilation - ANS - fear, anxiety, intracerebral trauma, excessive mechanical
ventilation
- hypoxemia from asphyxiation, high altitudes, shock, pneumonia
lab values for respiratory alkalosis - ANS PaCO2: less than 35
pH: greater than 7.45
HCO3: less than 24
lab values for respiratory acidosis - ANS PaCO2: greater than 45
pH: less than 7.35
HCO3: greater than 28
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, manifestations of respiratory alkalosis - ANS - tachypnea
- inability to concentrate, numbness, tingling
- tachycardia, dysrhythmias
- rapid deep respirations
nursing care for respiratory alkalosis - ANS - oxygen therapy
- anxiety reduction interventions
- rebreathing techniques
what causes metabolic acidosis - ANS - diabetic ketoacidosis
- starvation
- heavy exercise, seizure activity, hypoxia
- liver failure
- diarrhea
lab values for metabolic acidosis - ANS pH: less than 7.35
HCO3: less than 24
PaCO2: greater than 35
manifestations of metabolic acidosis - ANS - dysrhythmias
- bradycardia, weak pulses, hypotension, tachypnea
- headache, drowsiness, confusion
- rapid deep respirations (kussmaul)
causes of metabolic alkalosis - ANS - oral ingestion of excess amount of antacids
- blood transfusions, TPN
- prolonged vomiting, NG suction
3 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
VERIFIED 2025/2026.
What does pH tell you - ANS the expression of the balance between carbon dioxide and
bicarbonate
what causes a lower pH in the body - ANS the greater the concentration of hydrogen, the
more acidic the body fluids
what causes a higher pH in the body - ANS the lower the concentration of hydrogen, the
more alkaline the body fluids
hyperventilation and hydrogen ions - ANS causes a decrease in hydrogen ions
hypoventilation and hydrogen ions - ANS causes an increase in hydrogen ions
normal pH for the blood - ANS 7.35-7.45
what causes respiratory acidosis - ANS hypoventilation
what causes hypoventilation - ANS - respiratory depression from opioids, poisons
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
,- brain tumors, stroke, trauma
- muscle weakness, flail chest, obesity, sleep apnea
- airway obstruction
- pneumothorax
manifestations of respiratory acidosis - ANS - tachycardia (severe is bradycardia), tachypnea,
hypertension
- anxiety, irritability, confusion, coma
- ineffective, shallow, rapid breathing
- pale or cyanotic
nursing care for a patient with respiratory acidosis - ANS - oxygen therapy
- maintain patent airway
- positioning and breathing techniques
what causes respiratory alkalosis - ANS hyperventilation
what causes hyperventilation - ANS - fear, anxiety, intracerebral trauma, excessive mechanical
ventilation
- hypoxemia from asphyxiation, high altitudes, shock, pneumonia
lab values for respiratory alkalosis - ANS PaCO2: less than 35
pH: greater than 7.45
HCO3: less than 24
lab values for respiratory acidosis - ANS PaCO2: greater than 45
pH: less than 7.35
HCO3: greater than 28
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, manifestations of respiratory alkalosis - ANS - tachypnea
- inability to concentrate, numbness, tingling
- tachycardia, dysrhythmias
- rapid deep respirations
nursing care for respiratory alkalosis - ANS - oxygen therapy
- anxiety reduction interventions
- rebreathing techniques
what causes metabolic acidosis - ANS - diabetic ketoacidosis
- starvation
- heavy exercise, seizure activity, hypoxia
- liver failure
- diarrhea
lab values for metabolic acidosis - ANS pH: less than 7.35
HCO3: less than 24
PaCO2: greater than 35
manifestations of metabolic acidosis - ANS - dysrhythmias
- bradycardia, weak pulses, hypotension, tachypnea
- headache, drowsiness, confusion
- rapid deep respirations (kussmaul)
causes of metabolic alkalosis - ANS - oral ingestion of excess amount of antacids
- blood transfusions, TPN
- prolonged vomiting, NG suction
3 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
