Arterial Blood Gases Quiz

Mrs. Johansson, who had undergone surgery in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU), is difficult to arouse two hours following surgery. Nurse Florence in the PACU has been administering Morphine Sulfate intravenously to the client for complaints of post-surgical pain. The client's respiratory rate is 7 per minute and demonstrates shallow breathing. The patient does not respond to any stimuli. The nurse assesses the ABCs (remember Airway, Breathing, Circulation!) and obtains ABGs STAT! Measurement of arterial blood gas shows pH 7.10, PaCO2 70 mm Hg, and HCO3 24 mEq/L. What does this mean?

• Respiratory Alkalosis, Partially Compensated

• Respiratory Acidosis, Uncompensated

• Metabolic Alkalosis, Partially Compensated

• Metabolic Acidosis, Uncompensated

Baby Angela was rushed to the Emergency Room following her mother's complaint that the infant has been irritable, difficult to breastfeed, and has had diarrhea for the past 3 days. The infant's respiratory rate is elevated and the fontanels are sunken. The Emergency Room physician orders ABGs after assessing the ABCs. The results from the ABG results show pH 7.39, PaCO2 27 mmHg, and HCO3 19 mEq/L. What does this mean?

• Respiratory Alkalosis, Fully Compensated

• Metabolic Acidosis, Uncompensated

• Metabolic Acidosis, Fully Compensated

• Respiratory Acidosis, Uncompensated

Mr. Wales, who underwent post-abdominal surgery, has a nasogastric tube. The nurse on duty notes that the nasogastric tube (NGT) is draining a large amount (900 cc in 2 hours) of coffee ground secretions. The client is not oriented to person, place, or time. The nurse contacts the attending physician and STAT ABGs are ordered. The results from the ABGs show pH 7.57, PaCO2 37 mmHg and HCO3 30 mEq/L. What is your assessment?

• Metabolic Acidosis, Uncompensated

• Metabolic Alkalosis, Uncompensated

• Respiratory Alkalosis, Uncompensated

• Metabolic Alkalosis, Partially Compensated

Client Z is admitted to the hospital and is to undergo brain surgery. The client is very anxious and scared of the upcoming surgery. He begins to hyperventilate and becomes very dizzy. The client loses consciousness and the STAT ABGs reveal pH 7.61, PaCO2 22 mmHg, and HCO3 25 mEq/L. What is the ABG interpretation based on the findings?

• Metabolic Acidosis, Uncompensated

• Respiratory Alkalosis, Partially Compensated

• Respiratory Alkalosis, Uncompensated

• Metabolic Alkalosis, Partially Compensated

Three-year-old Adrian is admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of asthma and respiratory distress syndrome. The mother of the child reports to the nurse on duty that she has witnessed slight tremors and behavioral changes in her child over the past four days. The attending physician orders routine ABGs following an assessment of the ABCs. The ABG results are pH 7.35, PaCO2 72 mmHg, and HCO3 38 mEq/L. What acid-base disorder is shown?

• Respiratory Acidosis, Uncompensated

• Respiratory Acidosis, Fully Compensated

• Respiratory Alkalosis, Fully Compensated

• Metabolic Alkalosis, Partially Compensated

Anne, who is drinking beer at a party, falls and hits her head on the ground. Her friend Liza dials '911' because Anne is unconscious, depressed ventilation (shallow and slow respirations), rapid heart rate, and is profusely bleeding from both ears. Which primary acid-base imbalance is Anne at risk for if medical attention is not provided?

• Metabolic Acidosis

• Metabolic Alkalosis

• Respiratory Acidosis

• Respiratory Alkalosis

An older person experiencing homelessness was admitted to the emergency department due to shortness of breath, fever, and a productive cough. Upon examination, crackles and wheezes are noted in the lower lobes; he appears to be tachycardic and has a bounding pulse. Measurement of arterial blood gas shows pH 7.2, PaCO2 66 mm Hg, HCO3 27 mmol/L, and PaO2 65 mm Hg. As a knowledgeable nurse, you know that the normal value for pH is:

• 7.20

• 7.30

• 7.40

• 7.50

A patient who is hospitalized due to vomiting and a decreased level of consciousness displays slow and deep (Kussmaul breathing), and he is lethargic and irritable in response to stimulation. The doctor diagnosed him of having dehydration. Measurement of arterial blood gas shows pH 7.0, PaO2 90 mm Hg, PaCO2 22 mm Hg, and HCO3 14 mmol/L; other results are Na+ 120 mmol/L, K+ 2.5 mmol/L, and Cl- 95 mmol/L. As a knowledgeable nurse, you know that the normal value for PaCO2 is:

• 22 mm Hg

• 36 mm Hg

• 48 mm Hg

• 50 mm Hg

A company driver is found at the scene of an automobile accident in a state of emotional distress. He tells the paramedics that he feels dizzy, tingling in his fingertips, and does not remember what happened to his car. Respiratory rate is rapid at 34/minute. Which primary acid-base disturbance is the young man at risk for if medical attention is not provided?

• Respiratory Acidosis

• Respiratory Alkalosis

• Metabolic Acidosis

• Metabolic Alkalosis

An elderly client was admitted to hospital in a coma. Analysis of the arterial blood gave the following values: PCO2 16 mm Hg, HCO3- 5 mmol/L and pH 7.1. As a well-rounded nurse, you know that the normal value for HCO3 is:

• 20 mmol/L

• 24 mmol/L

• 29 mmol/L

• 31 mmol/L