2 Acid–Base Disorders and Compensation Online Quiz Questions

True or false: Acidemia is defined as a blood pH below 7.35.

True or false: If an ABG pH is within the reference range, the patient cannot have an acid–base disorder.

An ABG shows pH 7.50, PaCO₂ 30 mm Hg, and HCO₃⁻ 23 mEq/L. Which primary disorder best fits this pattern?

A patient becomes hypoventilated after receiving a CNS-depressing medication. The ABG is pH 7.27, PaCO₂ 60 mm Hg, and HCO₃⁻ 26 mEq/L. Which interpretation best fits the ABG?

An ABG shows pH 7.49, PaCO₂ 49 mm Hg, and HCO₃⁻ 36 mEq/L. Which interpretation best fits the primary disorder and compensation?

A patient has an abnormal ABG and new respiratory distress. Select all appropriate initial nursing assessment actions.

Which of the following can cause metabolic acidosis? Select all that apply.

Calculate the anion gap for Na⁺ = 140 mEq/L, Cl⁻ = 104 mEq/L, and HCO₃⁻ = 12 mEq/L using $\mathrm{AG} = \mathrm{Na}^+ - (\mathrm{Cl}^- + \mathrm{HCO}_3^-)$.

For metabolic acidosis with $\mathrm{HCO_3^-} = 16$ mEq/L, what is the central predicted $\mathrm{PaCO_2}$ from Winter’s formula? Enter the central value in mm Hg, not the range.

An ABG shows pH 7.46, PaCO₂ 20 mm Hg, and HCO₃⁻ 14 mEq/L. Using Winter’s formula, which interpretation best fits the pattern?

A patient with an abnormal ABG develops worsening consciousness and respiratory distress. Describe the immediate nursing priorities and identify one action that should not be performed independently.

A pH within the reference range rules out a clinically important acid–base disorder.

Calculate the anion gap for a patient with Na⁺ 140 mEq/L, Cl⁻ 103 mEq/L, and HCO₃⁻ 15 mEq/L. Use $\mathrm{AG} = \mathrm{Na^+} - (\mathrm{Cl^-} + \mathrm{HCO_3^-})$.

A patient with prolonged diarrhea has pH 7.29, PaCO₂ 33 mm Hg, and HCO₃⁻ 16 mEq/L. Which mechanism best explains the primary acid–base disturbance?

An ABG shows pH 7.49, PaCO₂ 45 mm Hg, and HCO₃⁻ 32 mEq/L. Which interpretation best evaluates the respiratory compensation for the primary disorder?

A patient develops unexplained rapid breathing and tingling around the mouth. Which action is safest while the cause is being assessed?

An ABG shows pH 7.24, PaCO₂ 30 mm Hg, and HCO₃⁻ 10 mEq/L. Winter’s formula is $\mathrm{expected\ PaCO_2} = (1.5 \times \mathrm{HCO_3^-}) + 8 \pm 2$ mm Hg. Which interpretation best fits these results?

A patient with persistent vomiting has an ABG showing $pH = 7.50$ and $\mathrm{HCO_3^-} = 32\ \mathrm{mEq/L}$. Which primary acid–base disorder is supported by the alkalemia and elevated bicarbonate?