NURS 4581 COMPREHENSIVE EXAM 2026
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 100% CORRECT
◉ the primary buffer system in the body is: Answer: bicarbonate-
carbonic acid buffer system
◉ kidneys regulate: Answer: bicarbonate in ECF
◉ respiratory system regulates: Answer: carbonic acid
◉ which of the following are part of the renal system regulation?
Answer: - secretion of free hydrogen ions
- conserving bicarbonate
- combining H+ with ammonia (NH3)
◉ which of the following is a normal ABG?
- pH: 7.45, CO2: 35, HCO3: 26, PaO2: 50
- pH: 7.48, CO2: 35, HCO3: 28, PaO2: 88
- pH: 7.38, CO2: 40, HCO3: 26, PaO2: 80
- pH: 7.32, CO2: 55, HCO3: 26, PaO2: 58 Answer: - pH: 7.38
- CO2: 40
,- HCO3: 26
- PaO2: 80
◉ respiratory opposite Answer: - alkalosis: pH ↑ PCO2↓
- acidosis: pH ↓ PCO2 ↑
◉ metabolic equal Answer: - alkalosis: pH ↑ HCO3 ↑
- acidosis: pH ↓ HCO3 ↓
◉ interpret the following ABG:
- pH: 7.32
- CO2: 50
- HCO3: 26
- PaO2: 60 Answer: respiratory acidosis with mild hypoxemia
◉ which of the following would you see in metabolic acidosis? Answer:
- pH < 7.35
- HCO3 < 22 mEq/L
- increased respirations
◉ which of the following would you see in metabolic acidosis?
- pH: 7.25, CO2: 65, HCO3: 26, PaO2: 45
, - pH: 7.48, CO2: 45, HCO3: 28, PaO2: 68
- pH: 7.38, CO2: 45, HCO3: 26, PaO2: 80
- pH: 7.32, CO2: 32, HCO3: 16, PaO2: 88 Answer: pH: 7.32, CO2: 32,
HCO3: 16, PaO2: 88
◉ which of the following are used in the treatment for metabolic
acidosis? Answer: - sodium bicarbonate
- treating the cause
- monitoring for hyperkalemia
◉ what is the cause of altered potassium levels in acid-base imbalances?
Answer: acidosis causes H+ ions in the blood to be exchanged for K+
from the cells
◉ which of the following ABGs would someone with hyperemesis
present with? Answer: pH: 7.48, CO2: 45, HCO3: 28, PaO2: 80
◉ when assessing a client with a pH: 7.48, PaCO2: 48, HCO3: 29,
PaO2: 80, the nurse would expect to see: Answer: muscle cramping
◉ which of the following is used in the treatment for metabolic
alkalosis? Answer: - treating the cause
- acetazolamide
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 100% CORRECT
◉ the primary buffer system in the body is: Answer: bicarbonate-
carbonic acid buffer system
◉ kidneys regulate: Answer: bicarbonate in ECF
◉ respiratory system regulates: Answer: carbonic acid
◉ which of the following are part of the renal system regulation?
Answer: - secretion of free hydrogen ions
- conserving bicarbonate
- combining H+ with ammonia (NH3)
◉ which of the following is a normal ABG?
- pH: 7.45, CO2: 35, HCO3: 26, PaO2: 50
- pH: 7.48, CO2: 35, HCO3: 28, PaO2: 88
- pH: 7.38, CO2: 40, HCO3: 26, PaO2: 80
- pH: 7.32, CO2: 55, HCO3: 26, PaO2: 58 Answer: - pH: 7.38
- CO2: 40
,- HCO3: 26
- PaO2: 80
◉ respiratory opposite Answer: - alkalosis: pH ↑ PCO2↓
- acidosis: pH ↓ PCO2 ↑
◉ metabolic equal Answer: - alkalosis: pH ↑ HCO3 ↑
- acidosis: pH ↓ HCO3 ↓
◉ interpret the following ABG:
- pH: 7.32
- CO2: 50
- HCO3: 26
- PaO2: 60 Answer: respiratory acidosis with mild hypoxemia
◉ which of the following would you see in metabolic acidosis? Answer:
- pH < 7.35
- HCO3 < 22 mEq/L
- increased respirations
◉ which of the following would you see in metabolic acidosis?
- pH: 7.25, CO2: 65, HCO3: 26, PaO2: 45
, - pH: 7.48, CO2: 45, HCO3: 28, PaO2: 68
- pH: 7.38, CO2: 45, HCO3: 26, PaO2: 80
- pH: 7.32, CO2: 32, HCO3: 16, PaO2: 88 Answer: pH: 7.32, CO2: 32,
HCO3: 16, PaO2: 88
◉ which of the following are used in the treatment for metabolic
acidosis? Answer: - sodium bicarbonate
- treating the cause
- monitoring for hyperkalemia
◉ what is the cause of altered potassium levels in acid-base imbalances?
Answer: acidosis causes H+ ions in the blood to be exchanged for K+
from the cells
◉ which of the following ABGs would someone with hyperemesis
present with? Answer: pH: 7.48, CO2: 45, HCO3: 28, PaO2: 80
◉ when assessing a client with a pH: 7.48, PaCO2: 48, HCO3: 29,
PaO2: 80, the nurse would expect to see: Answer: muscle cramping
◉ which of the following is used in the treatment for metabolic
alkalosis? Answer: - treating the cause
- acetazolamide
