NR 283 Exam 2: (Latest 2026/2027 Update) Acid-Base Balance, Fluid &
Electrolytes, Hematologic Disorders, Endocrine & Cardiac Conditions | Q&A |
Grade A | 100% Correct (Verified Answers)
COMPREHENSIVE PATHOPHYSIOLOGY REVIEW
SUBJECT SOURCE FORMAT
Pathophysiology / ABG / NR 283 Exam 2 2026/2027 Q&A Guide with Clinical Rationale
Electrolytes / Hematology /
Endocrine / Cardiac
Q1
What is the normal blood pH range?
CORRECT ANSWER 7.35 - 7.45
CLINICAL RATIONALE
● pH < 7.35 = acidosis; pH > 7.45 = alkalosis.
● The body maintains pH through buffers, respiratory compensation, and renal compensation.
Q2
What is the normal HCO3 (bicarbonate) range?
CORRECT ANSWER 22 - 26 mEq/L
CLINICAL RATIONALE
● Bicarbonate is the metabolic component of ABG.
● Low HCO3 = metabolic acidosis; High HCO3 = metabolic alkalosis.
Q3
What is the normal pCO2 range?
CORRECT ANSWER 35 - 45 mmHg
CLINICAL RATIONALE
● pCO2 is the respiratory component of ABG.
● pCO2 > 45 = respiratory acidosis (hypoventilation).
● pCO2 < 35 = respiratory alkalosis (hyperventilation).
, Q4
What is respiratory acidosis?
CORRECT ANSWERA drop in blood pH due to hypoventilation and accumulation of CO2. pCO2 >45,
HCO3 normal, pH <7.35. Causes: COPD, pneumonia, asthma, hypoventilation, sleep apnea,
sedative overdose.
CLINICAL RATIONALE
● Hypoventilation increases CO2 (an acid).
● Renal compensation: kidneys excrete H+ and retain HCO3 (takes days).
Q5
What is respiratory alkalosis?
Resulting from decreased CO2 due to hyperventilation. pCO2 <35, HCO3 normal,
CORRECT ANSWER
pH >7.45. Causes: panic attack, fever, hypoxia, anxiety.
CLINICAL RATIONALE
● Hyperventilation blows off CO2, decreasing carbonic acid.
● Renal compensation: kidneys excrete HCO3 and retain H+.
Q6
What is metabolic acidosis?
CORRECT ANSWER
Too much acid or loss of bicarbonate. HCO3 <22, pH <7.35, pCO2 normal or compensatory low.
Causes: diarrhea, DKA, shock, renal failure.
CLINICAL RATIONALE
● Diarrhea loses bicarbonate (non-anion gap acidosis).
● DKA produces ketones (anion gap acidosis).
● Respiratory compensation = Kussmaul breathing (deep, rapid).
Q7
What is metabolic alkalosis?
CORRECT ANSWER
High pH due to loss of acid or gain of bicarbonate. HCO3 >26, pH >7.45, pCO2 normal or
compensatory high. Causes: vomiting, excessive antacid use, hypokalemia.
CLINICAL RATIONALE
● Vomiting loses gastric acid (HCl).
● Hypokalemia causes metabolic alkalosis (K+ moves out of cells, H+ moves in).
● Respiratory compensation = slow, shallow breathing to retain CO2.
Electrolytes, Hematologic Disorders, Endocrine & Cardiac Conditions | Q&A |
Grade A | 100% Correct (Verified Answers)
COMPREHENSIVE PATHOPHYSIOLOGY REVIEW
SUBJECT SOURCE FORMAT
Pathophysiology / ABG / NR 283 Exam 2 2026/2027 Q&A Guide with Clinical Rationale
Electrolytes / Hematology /
Endocrine / Cardiac
Q1
What is the normal blood pH range?
CORRECT ANSWER 7.35 - 7.45
CLINICAL RATIONALE
● pH < 7.35 = acidosis; pH > 7.45 = alkalosis.
● The body maintains pH through buffers, respiratory compensation, and renal compensation.
Q2
What is the normal HCO3 (bicarbonate) range?
CORRECT ANSWER 22 - 26 mEq/L
CLINICAL RATIONALE
● Bicarbonate is the metabolic component of ABG.
● Low HCO3 = metabolic acidosis; High HCO3 = metabolic alkalosis.
Q3
What is the normal pCO2 range?
CORRECT ANSWER 35 - 45 mmHg
CLINICAL RATIONALE
● pCO2 is the respiratory component of ABG.
● pCO2 > 45 = respiratory acidosis (hypoventilation).
● pCO2 < 35 = respiratory alkalosis (hyperventilation).
, Q4
What is respiratory acidosis?
CORRECT ANSWERA drop in blood pH due to hypoventilation and accumulation of CO2. pCO2 >45,
HCO3 normal, pH <7.35. Causes: COPD, pneumonia, asthma, hypoventilation, sleep apnea,
sedative overdose.
CLINICAL RATIONALE
● Hypoventilation increases CO2 (an acid).
● Renal compensation: kidneys excrete H+ and retain HCO3 (takes days).
Q5
What is respiratory alkalosis?
Resulting from decreased CO2 due to hyperventilation. pCO2 <35, HCO3 normal,
CORRECT ANSWER
pH >7.45. Causes: panic attack, fever, hypoxia, anxiety.
CLINICAL RATIONALE
● Hyperventilation blows off CO2, decreasing carbonic acid.
● Renal compensation: kidneys excrete HCO3 and retain H+.
Q6
What is metabolic acidosis?
CORRECT ANSWER
Too much acid or loss of bicarbonate. HCO3 <22, pH <7.35, pCO2 normal or compensatory low.
Causes: diarrhea, DKA, shock, renal failure.
CLINICAL RATIONALE
● Diarrhea loses bicarbonate (non-anion gap acidosis).
● DKA produces ketones (anion gap acidosis).
● Respiratory compensation = Kussmaul breathing (deep, rapid).
Q7
What is metabolic alkalosis?
CORRECT ANSWER
High pH due to loss of acid or gain of bicarbonate. HCO3 >26, pH >7.45, pCO2 normal or
compensatory high. Causes: vomiting, excessive antacid use, hypokalemia.
CLINICAL RATIONALE
● Vomiting loses gastric acid (HCl).
● Hypokalemia causes metabolic alkalosis (K+ moves out of cells, H+ moves in).
● Respiratory compensation = slow, shallow breathing to retain CO2.
