1 Acid–Base Balance and ABG Interpretation Online Quiz Questions

True or false: Renal compensation for a respiratory acid–base disorder generally develops more slowly than the respiratory response to a metabolic disorder.

True or false: Compensation can move pH toward the reference range without removing the underlying cause of an acid–base disorder.

A patient has repeated vomiting. Which primary acid–base disorder is a concern because of the loss of gastric acid?

An ABG shows pH 7.32, PaCO₂ 49 mm Hg, and HCO₃⁻ 24 mEq/L. Which primary disorder best explains the pH?

A patient with severe pain is hyperventilating. The ABG shows pH 7.49, PaCO₂ 31 mm Hg, and HCO₃⁻ 24 mEq/L. What is the primary disorder?

Which conditions are examples of possible causes of metabolic acidosis? Select all that apply.

Which actions are part of a systematic interpretation of the primary acid–base process and its compensation? Select all that apply.

Which organ system provides slower compensation for a respiratory disorder by adjusting bicarbonate and acid handling?

For metabolic acidosis with HCO₃⁻ of 18 mEq/L, use Winter’s formula, $\mathrm{PaCO_2} = (1.5 \times \mathrm{HCO_3^-}) + 8$, to calculate the central expected PaCO₂ estimate. Enter the value in mm Hg.

A patient’s PaO₂ is 88 mm Hg while the patient is receiving supplemental oxygen. What is the most appropriate interpretation?

A patient has metabolic alkalosis with HCO₃⁻ of 32 mEq/L and PaCO₂ of 48 mm Hg. Explain the approximate expected PaCO₂ response to this bicarbonate increase and what the measured PaCO₂ may suggest. Use the estimate that PaCO₂ rises about 0.6–0.75 mm Hg for each 1 mEq/L increase in HCO₃⁻ above 24 mEq/L.

An ABG shows pH 7.31, PaCO₂ 50 mm Hg, and HCO₃⁻ 24 mEq/L. Which primary acid–base disorder best explains these values?

A patient has repeated vomiting. Which acid–base disorder is a concern, and which assessment approach is most appropriate?

True or false: Renal compensation for a respiratory acid–base disturbance generally develops more slowly than respiratory compensation for a metabolic disturbance.

In acute respiratory acidosis, PaCO₂ rises from 40 to 60 mm Hg. If the starting HCO₃⁻ is 24 mEq/L, what HCO₃⁻ range is expected from compensation?

For metabolic acidosis with HCO₃⁻ 18 mEq/L, use Winter’s formula, $\text{expected PaCO₂} = (1.5 \times \text{HCO₃⁻}) + 8$, to find the central predicted PaCO₂ value. Enter the value in mm Hg.

A patient with acidemia and elevated PaCO₂ is increasingly drowsy and has shallow respirations. What is the priority nursing response?

Which organ system provides the slower compensation for a respiratory acid–base disturbance by adjusting bicarbonate and acid handling?