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NUR 2356 MULTIDIMENSIONAL CARE I MDC I EXAM 2 2026
| 125 Practice Questions with Correct Answers | New! | Pass
Guaranteed - A+ Graded
[Section 1: Fluid, Electrolyte & Acid-Base Balance (Q1-22)]
Q1. A patient with COPD has the following arterial blood gas (ABG) results: pH 7.32,
PaCO2 52 mmHg, HCO3 24 mEq/L. Which interpretation is correct? A. Fully
compensated metabolic alkalosis B. Uncompensated respiratory acidosis [CORRECT]
C. Partially compensated metabolic acidosis D. Compensated respiratory alkalosis
Correct Answer: B. Uncompensated respiratory acidosis [CORRECT]
Rationale: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidemia, and an elevated PaCO2 above 45
mmHg identifies the primary disorder as respiratory acidosis; the normal HCO3 of 24
confirms no metabolic compensation has occurred, making this uncompensated.
Option A is incorrect because metabolic alkalosis would show an elevated HCO3 and
pH above 7.45. Option C is wrong because metabolic acidosis requires a low HCO3,
not a normal one. Option D is incorrect because respiratory alkalosis requires a low
PaCO2 and elevated pH.
Correct Answer: B
Q2. A patient with end-stage COPD has chronic ABG results: pH 7.36, PaCO2 55
mmHg, HCO3 32 mEq/L. Which interpretation is correct? A. Uncompensated
respiratory acidosis B. Fully compensated respiratory acidosis [CORRECT] C. Partially
compensated metabolic alkalosis D. Uncompensated metabolic acidosis
Correct Answer: B. Fully compensated respiratory acidosis [CORRECT]
Rationale: In fully compensated respiratory acidosis, the kidneys retain bicarbonate
to normalize pH, resulting in an abnormal PaCO2 and HCO3 with a pH within the
normal range of 7.35-7.45. Option A is incorrect because uncompensated respiratory
acidosis would have a normal HCO3 and abnormal pH. Option C is wrong because
the primary disorder is respiratory (elevated PaCO2), not metabolic. Option D is
incorrect because metabolic acidosis requires a low HCO3 and low pH.
Correct Answer: B
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Q3. A patient having a panic attack is hyperventilating. ABG results show: pH 7.48,
PaCO2 30 mmHg, HCO3 22 mEq/L. Which interpretation is correct? A. Fully
compensated metabolic acidosis B. Partially compensated respiratory alkalosis C.
Uncompensated respiratory alkalosis [CORRECT] D. Compensated respiratory
acidosis
Correct Answer: C. Uncompensated respiratory alkalosis [CORRECT]
Rationale: A pH above 7.45 indicates alkalemia, and a PaCO2 below 35 mmHg
identifies respiratory alkalosis from hyperventilation; the normal HCO3 confirms no
renal compensation has occurred. Option A is incorrect because metabolic acidosis
requires low HCO3 and low pH. Option B is wrong because partial compensation
would require a low HCO3 as the kidneys attempt to compensate. Option D is
incorrect because respiratory acidosis requires elevated PaCO2 and low pH.
Correct Answer: C
Q4. A patient with prolonged vomiting has ABG results: pH 7.44, PaCO2 48 mmHg,
HCO3 30 mEq/L. Which interpretation is correct? A. Uncompensated metabolic
alkalosis B. Fully compensated metabolic alkalosis [CORRECT] C. Partially
compensated respiratory acidosis D. Uncompensated respiratory acidosis
Correct Answer: B. Fully compensated metabolic alkalosis [CORRECT]
Rationale: The elevated HCO3 indicates metabolic alkalosis from vomiting, and the
elevated PaCO2 shows respiratory compensation via hypoventilation; because the pH
has returned to the normal range of 7.35-7.45, compensation is complete. Option A
is incorrect because uncompensated metabolic alkalosis would have a normal PaCO2
and abnormal pH. Option C is wrong because the primary disorder is metabolic
(elevated HCO3), not respiratory. Option D is incorrect because respiratory acidosis
requires a low pH and elevated PaCO2 without elevated HCO3.
Correct Answer: B
Q5. A patient with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) has ABG results: pH 7.30, PaCO2 28
mmHg, HCO3 16 mEq/L. Which interpretation is correct? A. Uncompensated
metabolic acidosis B. Partially compensated metabolic acidosis [CORRECT] C. Fully
compensated respiratory acidosis D. Uncompensated respiratory alkalosis
Correct Answer: B. Partially compensated metabolic acidosis [CORRECT]
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Rationale: The low pH and low HCO3 confirm metabolic acidosis from DKA, while the
low PaCO2 indicates the respiratory system is compensating by blowing off CO2;
however, because the pH remains abnormal at 7.30, compensation is only partial.
Option A is incorrect because uncompensated metabolic acidosis would have a
normal PaCO2. Option C is wrong because respiratory acidosis requires elevated
PaCO2 and low pH. Option D is incorrect because the primary disorder is metabolic,
not respiratory.
Correct Answer: B
Q6. A patient with severe diarrhea has ABG results: pH 7.28, PaCO2 40 mmHg, HCO3
14 mEq/L. Which interpretation is correct? A. Uncompensated metabolic acidosis
[CORRECT] B. Partially compensated respiratory alkalosis C. Fully compensated
metabolic alkalosis D. Compensated respiratory acidosis
Correct Answer: A. Uncompensated metabolic acidosis [CORRECT]
Rationale: The low pH and low HCO3 indicate metabolic acidosis from bicarbonate
loss in diarrhea, and the normal PaCO2 of 40 confirms the respiratory system has not
yet begun to compensate. Option B is incorrect because respiratory alkalosis requires
low PaCO2 and elevated pH. Option C is wrong because metabolic alkalosis requires
elevated HCO3 and pH. Option D is incorrect because respiratory acidosis requires
elevated PaCO2 and low pH.
Correct Answer: A
Q7. A patient with a pulmonary embolism is tachypneic. ABG results: pH 7.48, PaCO2
28 mmHg, HCO3 20 mEq/L. Which interpretation is correct? A. Uncompensated
respiratory alkalosis B. Partially compensated respiratory alkalosis [CORRECT] C. Fully
compensated metabolic acidosis D. Uncompensated metabolic alkalosis
Correct Answer: B. Partially compensated respiratory alkalosis [CORRECT]
Rationale: The elevated pH and low PaCO2 indicate primary respiratory alkalosis from
hyperventilation, while the low HCO3 shows renal compensation has begun by
excreting bicarbonate; because the pH remains abnormal at 7.48, compensation is
only partial. Option A is incorrect because uncompensated respiratory alkalosis
would have a normal HCO3. Option C is wrong because metabolic acidosis requires a
low pH. Option D is incorrect because metabolic alkalosis requires elevated HCO3
and pH.
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Correct Answer: B
Q8. A patient with chronic anxiety has ABG results: pH 7.40, PaCO2 30 mmHg, HCO3
18 mEq/L. Which interpretation is correct? A. Uncompensated respiratory alkalosis B.
Fully compensated respiratory alkalosis [CORRECT] C. Partially compensated
metabolic acidosis D. Uncompensated metabolic alkalosis
Correct Answer: B. Fully compensated respiratory alkalosis [CORRECT]
Rationale: Chronic hyperventilation from anxiety causes the kidneys to compensate
by excreting HCO3, resulting in low PaCO2 and low HCO3 with a normalized pH of
7.40, indicating full compensation. Option A is incorrect because uncompensated
respiratory alkalosis would have a normal HCO3. Option C is wrong because
metabolic acidosis requires a low pH. Option D is incorrect because metabolic
alkalosis requires elevated HCO3 and pH.
Correct Answer: B
Q9. A patient with prolonged NG suction has ABG results: pH 7.52, PaCO2 40 mmHg,
HCO3 38 mEq/L. Which interpretation is correct? A. Uncompensated metabolic
alkalosis [CORRECT] B. Partially compensated respiratory acidosis C. Fully
compensated metabolic acidosis D. Compensated respiratory alkalosis
Correct Answer: A. Uncompensated metabolic alkalosis [CORRECT]
Rationale: The elevated pH and elevated HCO3 confirm metabolic alkalosis from
gastric acid loss, and the normal PaCO2 of 40 indicates no respiratory compensation
has occurred. Option B is incorrect because respiratory acidosis requires elevated
PaCO2 and low pH. Option C is wrong because metabolic acidosis requires low HCO3
and low pH. Option D is incorrect because respiratory alkalosis requires low PaCO2
and would not present with elevated HCO3.
Correct Answer: A
Q10. A patient with acute opioid overdose has ABG results: pH 7.34, PaCO2 58
mmHg, HCO3 30 mEq/L. Which interpretation is correct? A. Uncompensated
respiratory acidosis B. Partially compensated respiratory acidosis [CORRECT] C. Fully
compensated metabolic alkalosis D. Uncompensated metabolic acidosis
Correct Answer: B. Partially compensated respiratory acidosis [CORRECT]
NUR 2356 MULTIDIMENSIONAL CARE I MDC I EXAM 2 2026
| 125 Practice Questions with Correct Answers | New! | Pass
Guaranteed - A+ Graded
[Section 1: Fluid, Electrolyte & Acid-Base Balance (Q1-22)]
Q1. A patient with COPD has the following arterial blood gas (ABG) results: pH 7.32,
PaCO2 52 mmHg, HCO3 24 mEq/L. Which interpretation is correct? A. Fully
compensated metabolic alkalosis B. Uncompensated respiratory acidosis [CORRECT]
C. Partially compensated metabolic acidosis D. Compensated respiratory alkalosis
Correct Answer: B. Uncompensated respiratory acidosis [CORRECT]
Rationale: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidemia, and an elevated PaCO2 above 45
mmHg identifies the primary disorder as respiratory acidosis; the normal HCO3 of 24
confirms no metabolic compensation has occurred, making this uncompensated.
Option A is incorrect because metabolic alkalosis would show an elevated HCO3 and
pH above 7.45. Option C is wrong because metabolic acidosis requires a low HCO3,
not a normal one. Option D is incorrect because respiratory alkalosis requires a low
PaCO2 and elevated pH.
Correct Answer: B
Q2. A patient with end-stage COPD has chronic ABG results: pH 7.36, PaCO2 55
mmHg, HCO3 32 mEq/L. Which interpretation is correct? A. Uncompensated
respiratory acidosis B. Fully compensated respiratory acidosis [CORRECT] C. Partially
compensated metabolic alkalosis D. Uncompensated metabolic acidosis
Correct Answer: B. Fully compensated respiratory acidosis [CORRECT]
Rationale: In fully compensated respiratory acidosis, the kidneys retain bicarbonate
to normalize pH, resulting in an abnormal PaCO2 and HCO3 with a pH within the
normal range of 7.35-7.45. Option A is incorrect because uncompensated respiratory
acidosis would have a normal HCO3 and abnormal pH. Option C is wrong because
the primary disorder is respiratory (elevated PaCO2), not metabolic. Option D is
incorrect because metabolic acidosis requires a low HCO3 and low pH.
Correct Answer: B
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Q3. A patient having a panic attack is hyperventilating. ABG results show: pH 7.48,
PaCO2 30 mmHg, HCO3 22 mEq/L. Which interpretation is correct? A. Fully
compensated metabolic acidosis B. Partially compensated respiratory alkalosis C.
Uncompensated respiratory alkalosis [CORRECT] D. Compensated respiratory
acidosis
Correct Answer: C. Uncompensated respiratory alkalosis [CORRECT]
Rationale: A pH above 7.45 indicates alkalemia, and a PaCO2 below 35 mmHg
identifies respiratory alkalosis from hyperventilation; the normal HCO3 confirms no
renal compensation has occurred. Option A is incorrect because metabolic acidosis
requires low HCO3 and low pH. Option B is wrong because partial compensation
would require a low HCO3 as the kidneys attempt to compensate. Option D is
incorrect because respiratory acidosis requires elevated PaCO2 and low pH.
Correct Answer: C
Q4. A patient with prolonged vomiting has ABG results: pH 7.44, PaCO2 48 mmHg,
HCO3 30 mEq/L. Which interpretation is correct? A. Uncompensated metabolic
alkalosis B. Fully compensated metabolic alkalosis [CORRECT] C. Partially
compensated respiratory acidosis D. Uncompensated respiratory acidosis
Correct Answer: B. Fully compensated metabolic alkalosis [CORRECT]
Rationale: The elevated HCO3 indicates metabolic alkalosis from vomiting, and the
elevated PaCO2 shows respiratory compensation via hypoventilation; because the pH
has returned to the normal range of 7.35-7.45, compensation is complete. Option A
is incorrect because uncompensated metabolic alkalosis would have a normal PaCO2
and abnormal pH. Option C is wrong because the primary disorder is metabolic
(elevated HCO3), not respiratory. Option D is incorrect because respiratory acidosis
requires a low pH and elevated PaCO2 without elevated HCO3.
Correct Answer: B
Q5. A patient with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) has ABG results: pH 7.30, PaCO2 28
mmHg, HCO3 16 mEq/L. Which interpretation is correct? A. Uncompensated
metabolic acidosis B. Partially compensated metabolic acidosis [CORRECT] C. Fully
compensated respiratory acidosis D. Uncompensated respiratory alkalosis
Correct Answer: B. Partially compensated metabolic acidosis [CORRECT]
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Rationale: The low pH and low HCO3 confirm metabolic acidosis from DKA, while the
low PaCO2 indicates the respiratory system is compensating by blowing off CO2;
however, because the pH remains abnormal at 7.30, compensation is only partial.
Option A is incorrect because uncompensated metabolic acidosis would have a
normal PaCO2. Option C is wrong because respiratory acidosis requires elevated
PaCO2 and low pH. Option D is incorrect because the primary disorder is metabolic,
not respiratory.
Correct Answer: B
Q6. A patient with severe diarrhea has ABG results: pH 7.28, PaCO2 40 mmHg, HCO3
14 mEq/L. Which interpretation is correct? A. Uncompensated metabolic acidosis
[CORRECT] B. Partially compensated respiratory alkalosis C. Fully compensated
metabolic alkalosis D. Compensated respiratory acidosis
Correct Answer: A. Uncompensated metabolic acidosis [CORRECT]
Rationale: The low pH and low HCO3 indicate metabolic acidosis from bicarbonate
loss in diarrhea, and the normal PaCO2 of 40 confirms the respiratory system has not
yet begun to compensate. Option B is incorrect because respiratory alkalosis requires
low PaCO2 and elevated pH. Option C is wrong because metabolic alkalosis requires
elevated HCO3 and pH. Option D is incorrect because respiratory acidosis requires
elevated PaCO2 and low pH.
Correct Answer: A
Q7. A patient with a pulmonary embolism is tachypneic. ABG results: pH 7.48, PaCO2
28 mmHg, HCO3 20 mEq/L. Which interpretation is correct? A. Uncompensated
respiratory alkalosis B. Partially compensated respiratory alkalosis [CORRECT] C. Fully
compensated metabolic acidosis D. Uncompensated metabolic alkalosis
Correct Answer: B. Partially compensated respiratory alkalosis [CORRECT]
Rationale: The elevated pH and low PaCO2 indicate primary respiratory alkalosis from
hyperventilation, while the low HCO3 shows renal compensation has begun by
excreting bicarbonate; because the pH remains abnormal at 7.48, compensation is
only partial. Option A is incorrect because uncompensated respiratory alkalosis
would have a normal HCO3. Option C is wrong because metabolic acidosis requires a
low pH. Option D is incorrect because metabolic alkalosis requires elevated HCO3
and pH.
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Correct Answer: B
Q8. A patient with chronic anxiety has ABG results: pH 7.40, PaCO2 30 mmHg, HCO3
18 mEq/L. Which interpretation is correct? A. Uncompensated respiratory alkalosis B.
Fully compensated respiratory alkalosis [CORRECT] C. Partially compensated
metabolic acidosis D. Uncompensated metabolic alkalosis
Correct Answer: B. Fully compensated respiratory alkalosis [CORRECT]
Rationale: Chronic hyperventilation from anxiety causes the kidneys to compensate
by excreting HCO3, resulting in low PaCO2 and low HCO3 with a normalized pH of
7.40, indicating full compensation. Option A is incorrect because uncompensated
respiratory alkalosis would have a normal HCO3. Option C is wrong because
metabolic acidosis requires a low pH. Option D is incorrect because metabolic
alkalosis requires elevated HCO3 and pH.
Correct Answer: B
Q9. A patient with prolonged NG suction has ABG results: pH 7.52, PaCO2 40 mmHg,
HCO3 38 mEq/L. Which interpretation is correct? A. Uncompensated metabolic
alkalosis [CORRECT] B. Partially compensated respiratory acidosis C. Fully
compensated metabolic acidosis D. Compensated respiratory alkalosis
Correct Answer: A. Uncompensated metabolic alkalosis [CORRECT]
Rationale: The elevated pH and elevated HCO3 confirm metabolic alkalosis from
gastric acid loss, and the normal PaCO2 of 40 indicates no respiratory compensation
has occurred. Option B is incorrect because respiratory acidosis requires elevated
PaCO2 and low pH. Option C is wrong because metabolic acidosis requires low HCO3
and low pH. Option D is incorrect because respiratory alkalosis requires low PaCO2
and would not present with elevated HCO3.
Correct Answer: A
Q10. A patient with acute opioid overdose has ABG results: pH 7.34, PaCO2 58
mmHg, HCO3 30 mEq/L. Which interpretation is correct? A. Uncompensated
respiratory acidosis B. Partially compensated respiratory acidosis [CORRECT] C. Fully
compensated metabolic alkalosis D. Uncompensated metabolic acidosis
Correct Answer: B. Partially compensated respiratory acidosis [CORRECT]
