ARTERIAL BLOOD GAS INTERPRETATION NURSING 2026
EXAM
1. Question
George Kent is a 54-year-old widower with a history of chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease and was rushed to the emergency department with increasing
shortness of breath, pyrexia, and a productive cough with yellow-green sputum.
He has difficulty communicating because of his inability to complete a sentence.
One of his sons, Jacob, says he has been unwell for three days. Upon examination,
crackles and wheezes can be heard in the lower lobes; he has tachycardia and a
bounding pulse. Measurement of arterial blood gas shows pH 7.3, PaCO2 68 mm
Hg, HCO3 28 mmol/L, and PaO2 60 mm Hg. How would you interpret this?
A. Respiratory Acidosis, Uncompensated
B. Respiratory Acidosis, Partially Compensated
Correct Answer
C. Metabolic Alkalosis, Uncompensated
Incorrect
D. Metabolic Acidosis, Partially Compensated
Incorrect
Correct Answer: B. Respiratory Acidosis, Partially Compensated
,The patient has respiratory acidosis (raised carbon dioxide) resulting from an
acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, with partial
compensation.
2. Question
Carl, an elementary student, was rushed to the hospital due to vomiting and a
decreased level of consciousness. The patient displays slow and deep (Kussmaul
breathing), and he is lethargic and irritable in response to stimulation. He appears
to be dehydrated—his eyes are sunken and mucous membranes are dry—and he
has a two-week history of polydipsia, polyuria, and weight loss. Measurement of
arterial blood gas shows pH 7.0, PaO2 90 mm Hg, PaCO2 23 mm Hg, and HCO3 12
mmol/L; other results are Na+ 126 mmol/L, K+ 5 mmol/L, and Cl- 95 mmol/L.
What is your assessment?
A. Respiratory Acidosis, Uncompensated
Incorrect
B. Respiratory Acidosis, Partially Compensated
C. Metabolic Alkalosis, Uncompensated
D. Metabolic Acidosis, Partially, Compensated
Correct Answer
, Incorrect
Correct Answer: D. Metabolic Acidosis, Partially, Compensated
The student was diagnosed with diabetes mellitus. The results show that he has
metabolic acidosis (low HCO3 -) with respiratory compensation (low CO2).
3. Question
A cigarette vendor was brought to the emergency department of a hospital after
she fell into the ground and hurt her left leg. She is noted to be tachycardic and
tachypneic. Painkillers were carried out to lessen her pain. Suddenly, she started
complaining that she is still in pain and now experiencing muscle cramps, tingling,
and paraesthesia. Measurement of arterial blood gas reveals pH 7.6, PaO2 120
mm Hg, PaCO2 31 mm Hg, and HCO3 25 mmol/L. What does this mean?
A. Respiratory Alkalosis, Uncompensated
Correct Answer
B. Respiratory Acidosis, Partially Compensated
Incorrect
C. Metabolic Alkalosis, Uncompensated
D. Metabolic Alkalosis, Partially Compensated
Incorrect
EXAM
1. Question
George Kent is a 54-year-old widower with a history of chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease and was rushed to the emergency department with increasing
shortness of breath, pyrexia, and a productive cough with yellow-green sputum.
He has difficulty communicating because of his inability to complete a sentence.
One of his sons, Jacob, says he has been unwell for three days. Upon examination,
crackles and wheezes can be heard in the lower lobes; he has tachycardia and a
bounding pulse. Measurement of arterial blood gas shows pH 7.3, PaCO2 68 mm
Hg, HCO3 28 mmol/L, and PaO2 60 mm Hg. How would you interpret this?
A. Respiratory Acidosis, Uncompensated
B. Respiratory Acidosis, Partially Compensated
Correct Answer
C. Metabolic Alkalosis, Uncompensated
Incorrect
D. Metabolic Acidosis, Partially Compensated
Incorrect
Correct Answer: B. Respiratory Acidosis, Partially Compensated
,The patient has respiratory acidosis (raised carbon dioxide) resulting from an
acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, with partial
compensation.
2. Question
Carl, an elementary student, was rushed to the hospital due to vomiting and a
decreased level of consciousness. The patient displays slow and deep (Kussmaul
breathing), and he is lethargic and irritable in response to stimulation. He appears
to be dehydrated—his eyes are sunken and mucous membranes are dry—and he
has a two-week history of polydipsia, polyuria, and weight loss. Measurement of
arterial blood gas shows pH 7.0, PaO2 90 mm Hg, PaCO2 23 mm Hg, and HCO3 12
mmol/L; other results are Na+ 126 mmol/L, K+ 5 mmol/L, and Cl- 95 mmol/L.
What is your assessment?
A. Respiratory Acidosis, Uncompensated
Incorrect
B. Respiratory Acidosis, Partially Compensated
C. Metabolic Alkalosis, Uncompensated
D. Metabolic Acidosis, Partially, Compensated
Correct Answer
, Incorrect
Correct Answer: D. Metabolic Acidosis, Partially, Compensated
The student was diagnosed with diabetes mellitus. The results show that he has
metabolic acidosis (low HCO3 -) with respiratory compensation (low CO2).
3. Question
A cigarette vendor was brought to the emergency department of a hospital after
she fell into the ground and hurt her left leg. She is noted to be tachycardic and
tachypneic. Painkillers were carried out to lessen her pain. Suddenly, she started
complaining that she is still in pain and now experiencing muscle cramps, tingling,
and paraesthesia. Measurement of arterial blood gas reveals pH 7.6, PaO2 120
mm Hg, PaCO2 31 mm Hg, and HCO3 25 mmol/L. What does this mean?
A. Respiratory Alkalosis, Uncompensated
Correct Answer
B. Respiratory Acidosis, Partially Compensated
Incorrect
C. Metabolic Alkalosis, Uncompensated
D. Metabolic Alkalosis, Partially Compensated
Incorrect
