ARTERIAL BLOOD GAS
INTERPRETATION FOR
NCLEX QUIZ 1
1. 1. Question
George Kent is a 54-year-old widower with a history of chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease and was rushed to the emergency
department with increasing shortness of breath, pyrexia, and a
productive cough with yellow-green sputum. He has difficulty
communicating because of his inability to complete a sentence.
One of his sons, Jacob, says he has been unwell for three days.
Upon examination, crackles and wheezes can be heard in the
lower lobes; he has tachycardia and a bounding pulse.
Measurement of arterial blood gas shows pH 7.3, PaCO2 68
mm Hg, HCO3 28 mmol/L, and PaO2 60 mm Hg. How would
you interpret this?
o A. Respiratory Acidosis, Uncompensated
o B. Respiratory Acidosis, Partially Compensated
o C. Metabolic Alkalosis, Uncompensated
o D. Metabolic Acidosis, Partially Compensated
Correct Answer: B. Respiratory Acidosis, Partially
Compensated
The patient has respiratory acidosis (raised carbon dioxide)
resulting from an acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease, with partial compensation.
2. 2. Question
Carl, an elementary student, was rushed to the hospital due to
vomiting and a decreased level of consciousness. The patient
displays slow and deep (Kussmaul breathing), and he is lethargic
and irritable in response to stimulation. He appears to be
dehydrated—his eyes are sunken and mucous membranes are
, dry—and he has a two-week history of polydipsia, polyuria, and
weight loss. Measurement of arterial blood gas shows pH 7.0,
PaO2 90 mm Hg, PaCO2 23 mm Hg, and HCO3 12 mmol/L;
other results are Na+ 126 mmol/L, K+ 5 mmol/L, and Cl- 95
mmol/L. What is your assessment?
o A. Respiratory Acidosis, Uncompensated
o B. Respiratory Acidosis, Partially Compensated
o C. Metabolic Alkalosis, Uncompensated
o D. Metabolic Acidosis, Partially, Compensated
Correct Answer: D. Metabolic Acidosis, Partially,
Compensated
The student was diagnosed with diabetes mellitus. The results
show that he has metabolic acidosis (low HCO3 -) with respiratory
compensation (low CO2).
3. 3. Question
A cigarette vendor was brought to the emergency department of
a hospital after she fell into the ground and hurt her left leg. She
is noted to be tachycardic and tachypneic. Painkillers were
carried out to lessen her pain. Suddenly, she started complaining
that she is still in pain and now experiencing muscle cramps,
tingling, and paraesthesia. Measurement of arterial blood gas
reveals pH 7.6, PaO2 120 mm Hg, PaCO2 31 mm Hg, and
HCO3 25 mmol/L. What does this mean?
o A. Respiratory Alkalosis, Uncompensated
o B. Respiratory Acidosis, Partially Compensated
o C. Metabolic Alkalosis, Uncompensated
o D. Metabolic Alkalosis, Partially Compensated
Correct Answer: A. Respiratory Alkalosis, Uncompensated
INTERPRETATION FOR
NCLEX QUIZ 1
1. 1. Question
George Kent is a 54-year-old widower with a history of chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease and was rushed to the emergency
department with increasing shortness of breath, pyrexia, and a
productive cough with yellow-green sputum. He has difficulty
communicating because of his inability to complete a sentence.
One of his sons, Jacob, says he has been unwell for three days.
Upon examination, crackles and wheezes can be heard in the
lower lobes; he has tachycardia and a bounding pulse.
Measurement of arterial blood gas shows pH 7.3, PaCO2 68
mm Hg, HCO3 28 mmol/L, and PaO2 60 mm Hg. How would
you interpret this?
o A. Respiratory Acidosis, Uncompensated
o B. Respiratory Acidosis, Partially Compensated
o C. Metabolic Alkalosis, Uncompensated
o D. Metabolic Acidosis, Partially Compensated
Correct Answer: B. Respiratory Acidosis, Partially
Compensated
The patient has respiratory acidosis (raised carbon dioxide)
resulting from an acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease, with partial compensation.
2. 2. Question
Carl, an elementary student, was rushed to the hospital due to
vomiting and a decreased level of consciousness. The patient
displays slow and deep (Kussmaul breathing), and he is lethargic
and irritable in response to stimulation. He appears to be
dehydrated—his eyes are sunken and mucous membranes are
, dry—and he has a two-week history of polydipsia, polyuria, and
weight loss. Measurement of arterial blood gas shows pH 7.0,
PaO2 90 mm Hg, PaCO2 23 mm Hg, and HCO3 12 mmol/L;
other results are Na+ 126 mmol/L, K+ 5 mmol/L, and Cl- 95
mmol/L. What is your assessment?
o A. Respiratory Acidosis, Uncompensated
o B. Respiratory Acidosis, Partially Compensated
o C. Metabolic Alkalosis, Uncompensated
o D. Metabolic Acidosis, Partially, Compensated
Correct Answer: D. Metabolic Acidosis, Partially,
Compensated
The student was diagnosed with diabetes mellitus. The results
show that he has metabolic acidosis (low HCO3 -) with respiratory
compensation (low CO2).
3. 3. Question
A cigarette vendor was brought to the emergency department of
a hospital after she fell into the ground and hurt her left leg. She
is noted to be tachycardic and tachypneic. Painkillers were
carried out to lessen her pain. Suddenly, she started complaining
that she is still in pain and now experiencing muscle cramps,
tingling, and paraesthesia. Measurement of arterial blood gas
reveals pH 7.6, PaO2 120 mm Hg, PaCO2 31 mm Hg, and
HCO3 25 mmol/L. What does this mean?
o A. Respiratory Alkalosis, Uncompensated
o B. Respiratory Acidosis, Partially Compensated
o C. Metabolic Alkalosis, Uncompensated
o D. Metabolic Alkalosis, Partially Compensated
Correct Answer: A. Respiratory Alkalosis, Uncompensated
