NSG 1600 ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND
COMPLETE STUDY GUIDE 2026
▶ Normal pH. Answer: 7.35 - 7.45
▶ Normal Bicarbonate. Answer: 22 - 26 mmol/L
▶ Normal PCO2. Answer: 35 - 45 mmHg
▶ pH Respiratory Compensation. Answer: Takes minutes
Hypo or hyperventilation to expel or retain CO2, which alters pH.
Hypoventilation: acidosis
Hyperventilation: alkalosis
▶ pH Renal Compensation. Answer: Takes hours - days
Kidneys adjust to reabsorb more/less bicarbonate to alter pH
▶ Acidosis. Answer: pH < 7.35
Metabolic: HCO3 < 22 mmol/L
Cause: ketoacidosis, renal failure, lactic acidosis
Respiratory: PCO2 >45 mmHg
Cause: hypoventilation, impaired gas exchange
▶ Alkalosis. Answer: pH: >7.45
Metabolic: HCO > 26 mmol/L
Cause: hypokalemia, gastric suction or vomiting, hypochloremia
Respiratory: PCO2 < 35 mmHg
Cause: hyperventilation (hypoxemia, metabolic acidosis)
▶ Partial Compensation. Answer: Some compensation by uninvolved
buffer occurs but pH remains abnormal
COMPLETE STUDY GUIDE 2026
▶ Normal pH. Answer: 7.35 - 7.45
▶ Normal Bicarbonate. Answer: 22 - 26 mmol/L
▶ Normal PCO2. Answer: 35 - 45 mmHg
▶ pH Respiratory Compensation. Answer: Takes minutes
Hypo or hyperventilation to expel or retain CO2, which alters pH.
Hypoventilation: acidosis
Hyperventilation: alkalosis
▶ pH Renal Compensation. Answer: Takes hours - days
Kidneys adjust to reabsorb more/less bicarbonate to alter pH
▶ Acidosis. Answer: pH < 7.35
Metabolic: HCO3 < 22 mmol/L
Cause: ketoacidosis, renal failure, lactic acidosis
Respiratory: PCO2 >45 mmHg
Cause: hypoventilation, impaired gas exchange
▶ Alkalosis. Answer: pH: >7.45
Metabolic: HCO > 26 mmol/L
Cause: hypokalemia, gastric suction or vomiting, hypochloremia
Respiratory: PCO2 < 35 mmHg
Cause: hyperventilation (hypoxemia, metabolic acidosis)
▶ Partial Compensation. Answer: Some compensation by uninvolved
buffer occurs but pH remains abnormal
