Acid Base Exam Questions & Answers
(Saunders Evolve)
Nclex Exam questions from the 5th edition Saunders book.
The nurse reviews the arterial blood gas results of a client and notes the following: pH
7.45, Pco2 of 30 mm Hg, and HCO3 of 20 mEq/L. The nurse analyzes these results as
indicating which condition?
- Respiratory alkalosis, compensated
The nurse is caring for a client with a nasogastric tube that is attached to low suction.
The nurse monitors the client, knowing that the client is at risk for which acid-base
disorder?
- Metabolic alkalosis
A client with a 3-day history of nausea and vomiting presents to the emergency
department. The client is hypoventilating and has a respiratory rate of 10
breaths/minute. The electrocardiogram (ECG) monitor displays tachycardia, with a
heart rate of 120 beats/minute. Arterial blood gases are drawn and the nurse reviews
the results, expecting to note which finding?
- An increased pH with an increased HCO3
The nurse caring for a client with an ileostomy understands that the client is most at
risk for developing which acid-base disorder?
- Metabolic acidosis
The nurse is caring for a client with diabetic ketoacidosis and documents that the client
is experiencing Kussmaul's respirations. On the basis of this documentation, which
pattern did the nurse observe?
- Respirations that are abnormally deep, regular, and increased in rate
A client who is found unresponsive has arterial blood gases drawn and the results
indicate the following: pH is 7.12, Pco2 is 90 mm Hg, and HCO3 is 22 mEq/L. The
nurse interprets the results as indicating which condition?
- Respiratory acidosis without compensation
, The nurse notes that a client's arterial blood gas results reveal a pH of 7.50 and a Pco2
of 30 mm Hg. The nurse monitors the client for which clinical manifestations
associated with these arterial blood gas results? Select all that apply.
- nausea
confusion
tachycardia
lightheadedness
The nurse reviews the blood gas results of a client with atelectasis. The nurse analyzes
the results and determines that the client is experiencing respiratory acidosis. Which
result validates the nurse's findings?
1. pH 7.25, Pco2 50 mm Hg
2. pH 7.35, Pco2 40 mm Hg
3.pH 7.50, Pco2 52 mm Hg
4.pH 7.52, Pco2 28 mm Hg - 1. pH 7.25, Pco2 50 mm Hg
The nurse is caring for a client who is on a mechanical ventilator. Blood gas results
indicate a pH of 7.50 and a Pco2 of 30 mm Hg. The nurse has determined that the
client is experiencing respiratory alkalosis. Which laboratory value would most likely
be noted in this condition?
1. Sodium level of 145 mEq/L
2. Potassium level of 3.0 mEq/L
3. Magnesium level of 2.0 mg/dL
4. Phosphorus level of 4.0 mg/dL - 2.Potassium level of 3.0 mEq/L
The nurse plans care for a client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD),
understanding that the client is most likely to experience what type of acid-base
imbalance?
- Respiratory acidosis
The nurse reviews the arterial blood gas results of an assigned client and notes that the
laboratory report indicates a pH of 7.30, Pco2 of 58 mm Hg, Po2 of 80 mm Hg, and
Hco3 of 27 mEq/L. The nurse interprets that the client has which acid-base
disturbance?
- Respiratory acidosis
(Saunders Evolve)
Nclex Exam questions from the 5th edition Saunders book.
The nurse reviews the arterial blood gas results of a client and notes the following: pH
7.45, Pco2 of 30 mm Hg, and HCO3 of 20 mEq/L. The nurse analyzes these results as
indicating which condition?
- Respiratory alkalosis, compensated
The nurse is caring for a client with a nasogastric tube that is attached to low suction.
The nurse monitors the client, knowing that the client is at risk for which acid-base
disorder?
- Metabolic alkalosis
A client with a 3-day history of nausea and vomiting presents to the emergency
department. The client is hypoventilating and has a respiratory rate of 10
breaths/minute. The electrocardiogram (ECG) monitor displays tachycardia, with a
heart rate of 120 beats/minute. Arterial blood gases are drawn and the nurse reviews
the results, expecting to note which finding?
- An increased pH with an increased HCO3
The nurse caring for a client with an ileostomy understands that the client is most at
risk for developing which acid-base disorder?
- Metabolic acidosis
The nurse is caring for a client with diabetic ketoacidosis and documents that the client
is experiencing Kussmaul's respirations. On the basis of this documentation, which
pattern did the nurse observe?
- Respirations that are abnormally deep, regular, and increased in rate
A client who is found unresponsive has arterial blood gases drawn and the results
indicate the following: pH is 7.12, Pco2 is 90 mm Hg, and HCO3 is 22 mEq/L. The
nurse interprets the results as indicating which condition?
- Respiratory acidosis without compensation
, The nurse notes that a client's arterial blood gas results reveal a pH of 7.50 and a Pco2
of 30 mm Hg. The nurse monitors the client for which clinical manifestations
associated with these arterial blood gas results? Select all that apply.
- nausea
confusion
tachycardia
lightheadedness
The nurse reviews the blood gas results of a client with atelectasis. The nurse analyzes
the results and determines that the client is experiencing respiratory acidosis. Which
result validates the nurse's findings?
1. pH 7.25, Pco2 50 mm Hg
2. pH 7.35, Pco2 40 mm Hg
3.pH 7.50, Pco2 52 mm Hg
4.pH 7.52, Pco2 28 mm Hg - 1. pH 7.25, Pco2 50 mm Hg
The nurse is caring for a client who is on a mechanical ventilator. Blood gas results
indicate a pH of 7.50 and a Pco2 of 30 mm Hg. The nurse has determined that the
client is experiencing respiratory alkalosis. Which laboratory value would most likely
be noted in this condition?
1. Sodium level of 145 mEq/L
2. Potassium level of 3.0 mEq/L
3. Magnesium level of 2.0 mg/dL
4. Phosphorus level of 4.0 mg/dL - 2.Potassium level of 3.0 mEq/L
The nurse plans care for a client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD),
understanding that the client is most likely to experience what type of acid-base
imbalance?
- Respiratory acidosis
The nurse reviews the arterial blood gas results of an assigned client and notes that the
laboratory report indicates a pH of 7.30, Pco2 of 58 mm Hg, Po2 of 80 mm Hg, and
Hco3 of 27 mEq/L. The nurse interprets that the client has which acid-base
disturbance?
- Respiratory acidosis
