ABGs

Question 1

metabolic acidosis

Answer 1

-diarrhea
-diabetic ketoacidosis
-lactic acidosis
-renal tubular acidosis

Question 2

metabolic alkalosis

Answer 2

-vomiting
-diuretics
-cushing syndrome
-hyperaldosteronism
-adrenal hyperplasia

Question 3

respiratory acidosis

Answer 3

-COPD
-respiratory depression
-neuromuscular diseases

Question 4

respiratory alkalosis

Answer 4

-hyperventilation
-high altitude
-asthma
-aspirin toxicity
-PE

Question 5

normal Ph

Answer 5

35-45

Question 6

normal paCO2

Answer 6

35-45

Question 7

normal CO3

Answer 7

22-26

Question 8

CO2

Answer 8

80-100

Question 9

What arterial blood gas abnormality may occur if a client continues to be tachypneic at mechanical ventilation settings with a spontaneous respiratory rate of 22 breaths/min?

Answer 9

Respiratory alkalosis – hyperventilating

Question 10

What are the expected ABG results for a client with persistent vomiting of 3 days duration?

Answer 10

Metabolic alkalosis – pH 7.48, PCO2 40, HCO3 30mEq/L

Question 11

What do the ABG levels of pH 7.35, PaCO2 55mm Hg, HCO3 30mEq/L, and PaO2 65mm Hg reflect for a client with pneumonia?

Answer 11

Hypoxemia – Compensated respiratory acidosis

Question 12

What ABG results indicate acute respiratory failure in a client with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)?

Answer 12

pH 7.20, HCO3 23, PaO2 40, PaCO2 58

Question 13

What acid-base disturbance is a postoperative client at risk for if respirations decrease to 4 breaths/min after receiving morphine sulphate?

Answer 13

Hypoventilation respiratory acidosis