NUR 376
NUR 376 Exam 1 |Study Questions
with Correct Answers| Graded A+ 2026
Arterial blood gas (ABG)
blood test from an artery instead of the vein to see o2 and co2 levels
normal pH
7.35 - 7.45
normal PaCO2
35-45 mmHG
Normal HCO3 (bicarbonate)
22-26 mEq/L
normal PaO2
80-100 mmHg
normal O2 stat
>94%
Metabolic Acidosis
low pH <7.35
low bicarb <22 mEq/L
commonly due to kidney injury
Metabolic Acidosis Causes (8)
- DKA (diabetes)
- Hyperkalemia
- Starvation
NUR 376
,NUR 376
- Shock
- Renal Failure
- Aspirin overdose
- Tricyclic antidepressant overdose
- Diarrhea (acidosis out the ass)
Metabolic Acidosis s/s (6)
- Headache
- Decreased BP, Muscle tone, reflexes
- Hyperkalemia
- Muscle Twitching
- Warm skin
- Kussmaul Respirations
Kussmaul respirations
very deep and rapid respirations
Metabolic Alkalosis
High pH >7.45
High bicarb > 26 mEq/L
commonly due to medication or long term diuretic use
Metabolic Alkalosis Cause (6)
- Large blood transfusions
- Prolonged vomiting (bulimia too)
- Significant NG output
- Diuretic overuse
- Hypokalemia
- Mineralcorticoid excess
Metabolic Alkalosis s/s
- restlessness w/ lethargy
- dysrhythmias
- hypoventilation
NUR 376
, NUR 376
- confusion
- n/v
- tremors
- hypokalemia
Respiratory Acidosis
low pH <7.35
high PaCO2 > 45 mmHg
ALWAYS due to problem with inadequate CO2 excretion
(*might be asymptomatic when chronic)
Respiratory Acidosis Causes (7)
- respiratory distress
- COPD
- Emphysema
- Airway obstruction
- Laryngospasm
- Neuromuscular disorders
- Sedative overdose
Respiratory Acidosis s/s (9)
- hypoventilation
- rapid/shallow respirations
- decreased BP
- dyspnea
- headache
- hyperkalemia
- dysthymias
- drowsiness/dizziness
- muscle weakness
Respiratory Alkalosis
High pH >7.45
Low PaCO2 <35 mmHg
NUR 376
NUR 376 Exam 1 |Study Questions
with Correct Answers| Graded A+ 2026
Arterial blood gas (ABG)
blood test from an artery instead of the vein to see o2 and co2 levels
normal pH
7.35 - 7.45
normal PaCO2
35-45 mmHG
Normal HCO3 (bicarbonate)
22-26 mEq/L
normal PaO2
80-100 mmHg
normal O2 stat
>94%
Metabolic Acidosis
low pH <7.35
low bicarb <22 mEq/L
commonly due to kidney injury
Metabolic Acidosis Causes (8)
- DKA (diabetes)
- Hyperkalemia
- Starvation
NUR 376
,NUR 376
- Shock
- Renal Failure
- Aspirin overdose
- Tricyclic antidepressant overdose
- Diarrhea (acidosis out the ass)
Metabolic Acidosis s/s (6)
- Headache
- Decreased BP, Muscle tone, reflexes
- Hyperkalemia
- Muscle Twitching
- Warm skin
- Kussmaul Respirations
Kussmaul respirations
very deep and rapid respirations
Metabolic Alkalosis
High pH >7.45
High bicarb > 26 mEq/L
commonly due to medication or long term diuretic use
Metabolic Alkalosis Cause (6)
- Large blood transfusions
- Prolonged vomiting (bulimia too)
- Significant NG output
- Diuretic overuse
- Hypokalemia
- Mineralcorticoid excess
Metabolic Alkalosis s/s
- restlessness w/ lethargy
- dysrhythmias
- hypoventilation
NUR 376
, NUR 376
- confusion
- n/v
- tremors
- hypokalemia
Respiratory Acidosis
low pH <7.35
high PaCO2 > 45 mmHg
ALWAYS due to problem with inadequate CO2 excretion
(*might be asymptomatic when chronic)
Respiratory Acidosis Causes (7)
- respiratory distress
- COPD
- Emphysema
- Airway obstruction
- Laryngospasm
- Neuromuscular disorders
- Sedative overdose
Respiratory Acidosis s/s (9)
- hypoventilation
- rapid/shallow respirations
- decreased BP
- dyspnea
- headache
- hyperkalemia
- dysthymias
- drowsiness/dizziness
- muscle weakness
Respiratory Alkalosis
High pH >7.45
Low PaCO2 <35 mmHg
NUR 376
