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NUR 2392-NUR2392 MULTIDIMENSIONAL CARE
II MDC EXAM 2 (2026-2027) RASMUSSEN
COLLEGE UPDATED ON JANUARY 2026 100
QUESTIONS AND DETAILED ANSWERS
A+GRADE
A person with a pH of 7.55 is acidotic or alkalotic? - Alkalotic
What condition do these parameters indicate?
pH: 7.3 pCO2 52
HCO3 22 - uncompensated respiratory
acidosis pH is low so it is acidic. pCO2 is high,
making it acidic. hCO3 is 22, within normal
range.
What condition do these parameters indicate?
pH 7.49 PCO2 49
HCO3 31 - partially compensated metabolic alkalosis
DKA and renal failure are common causes of which acid-base imbalance? - Metabolic acidosis
Retention of CO2 causes which acid-base imbalance? - respiratory acidosis
A patient comes into the ED with difficulty breathing. He has a history of severe COPD. Which
acid-base balance is he most at risk for? - respiratory acidosis, his body cannot of load carbon
dioxide through the lungs, resulting in acidic conditions
When assessing a client with acidosis, what system should the nurse address first? -
cardiovascular
T/F: Acids are normally found in the body as a result of metabolism. - True
A client is in acidosis. What lab test is a priority to monitor? - Potassium
T/F: Alkalosis decreases the sensitivity of excitable tissues. - False, Alkalosis increases sensitivity
of excitable tissues. Ex: it causes over reaction of reflexes
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A patient comes into the ED with delirium and confusion. He has a history of severe sleep
apnea. Which acid-base imbalance is he most at risk for? - respiratory acidosis can be caused by
sleep apnea
What are some common causes of respiratory alkalosis? - fear, hyperventilation, anxiety
T/F: Compensation is the body's attempt to restore its pH level to homeostasis. - True
What pH levels are typically fatal? - less than 6.9 or greater than 7.8
A patient is brought into the ED with respiratory depression. The patient has a history of COPD.
What acid-base imbalance is most likely?
- Respiratory Acidosis. The patient likely has a build-up of CO2, causing respiratory acidosis.
The nurse is evaluating the lab work of a patient who has uncontrolled metabolic acidosis.
Which lab result would result from this condition?
A) pH 7.4
B) PaO2 98 mm Hg
C) bicarbonate 38 mEq/ L
D) serum potassium 5.7 mEq/L Serum potassium increases during acidosis to try to buffer the
acidic conditions.
The nurse is reviewing the standing orders for a patient who was admitted for evaluation of
chest pain. The patient has a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and his
laboratory results and assessment reveal that he has mild respiratory acidosis. The nurse
would question which order? A.Encourage oral fluids
B.Keep head of bed elevated
C.Oxygen therapy at 4 L/min as needed
D.Bedrest with bathroom privileges only
- C) Oxygen therapy at 4L/ Min as needed. Oxygen therapy is often ordered for respiratory
acidosis. However, COPD patients have a difficult time off-loading carbon dioxide and giving too
much oxygen can cause these patients to have a decrease in respiratory drive, leading to
respiratory arrest.
A client has acute alcohol intoxication. What acid-base imbalance is the client at risk for? -
metabolic acidosis.
A client comes into the ED with respiratory acidosis. What type of medication would the nurse
likely administer? - bronchodilators
NUR 2392-NUR2392 MULTIDIMENSIONAL CARE
II MDC EXAM 2 (2026-2027) RASMUSSEN
COLLEGE UPDATED ON JANUARY 2026 100
QUESTIONS AND DETAILED ANSWERS
A+GRADE
A person with a pH of 7.55 is acidotic or alkalotic? - Alkalotic
What condition do these parameters indicate?
pH: 7.3 pCO2 52
HCO3 22 - uncompensated respiratory
acidosis pH is low so it is acidic. pCO2 is high,
making it acidic. hCO3 is 22, within normal
range.
What condition do these parameters indicate?
pH 7.49 PCO2 49
HCO3 31 - partially compensated metabolic alkalosis
DKA and renal failure are common causes of which acid-base imbalance? - Metabolic acidosis
Retention of CO2 causes which acid-base imbalance? - respiratory acidosis
A patient comes into the ED with difficulty breathing. He has a history of severe COPD. Which
acid-base balance is he most at risk for? - respiratory acidosis, his body cannot of load carbon
dioxide through the lungs, resulting in acidic conditions
When assessing a client with acidosis, what system should the nurse address first? -
cardiovascular
T/F: Acids are normally found in the body as a result of metabolism. - True
A client is in acidosis. What lab test is a priority to monitor? - Potassium
T/F: Alkalosis decreases the sensitivity of excitable tissues. - False, Alkalosis increases sensitivity
of excitable tissues. Ex: it causes over reaction of reflexes
, 2|Page
A patient comes into the ED with delirium and confusion. He has a history of severe sleep
apnea. Which acid-base imbalance is he most at risk for? - respiratory acidosis can be caused by
sleep apnea
What are some common causes of respiratory alkalosis? - fear, hyperventilation, anxiety
T/F: Compensation is the body's attempt to restore its pH level to homeostasis. - True
What pH levels are typically fatal? - less than 6.9 or greater than 7.8
A patient is brought into the ED with respiratory depression. The patient has a history of COPD.
What acid-base imbalance is most likely?
- Respiratory Acidosis. The patient likely has a build-up of CO2, causing respiratory acidosis.
The nurse is evaluating the lab work of a patient who has uncontrolled metabolic acidosis.
Which lab result would result from this condition?
A) pH 7.4
B) PaO2 98 mm Hg
C) bicarbonate 38 mEq/ L
D) serum potassium 5.7 mEq/L Serum potassium increases during acidosis to try to buffer the
acidic conditions.
The nurse is reviewing the standing orders for a patient who was admitted for evaluation of
chest pain. The patient has a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and his
laboratory results and assessment reveal that he has mild respiratory acidosis. The nurse
would question which order? A.Encourage oral fluids
B.Keep head of bed elevated
C.Oxygen therapy at 4 L/min as needed
D.Bedrest with bathroom privileges only
- C) Oxygen therapy at 4L/ Min as needed. Oxygen therapy is often ordered for respiratory
acidosis. However, COPD patients have a difficult time off-loading carbon dioxide and giving too
much oxygen can cause these patients to have a decrease in respiratory drive, leading to
respiratory arrest.
A client has acute alcohol intoxication. What acid-base imbalance is the client at risk for? -
metabolic acidosis.
A client comes into the ED with respiratory acidosis. What type of medication would the nurse
likely administer? - bronchodilators
