NBRC Critical Care and ABG Interpretation

Question 1

A patient has ABG values: pH 7.28, PaCO2 55 mmHg, HCO3 24 mEq/L. This represents:

Accepted Answer

Respiratory acidosis (uncompensated)

Answer

Metabolic acidosis

Answer

Metabolic alkalosis

Answer

Respiratory alkalosis

Question 2

A patient has ABG: pH 7.52, PaCO2 28 mmHg, HCO3 22 mEq/L. This is consistent with:

Accepted Answer

Respiratory alkalosis (uncompensated)

Answer

Metabolic alkalosis

Answer

Compensated respiratory acidosis

Answer

Normal values

Question 3

Acute hypoxemic respiratory failure is defined by a PaO2/FiO2 (P/F) ratio below:

Accepted Answer

300

Answer

400

Answer

200

Answer

100

Question 4

In diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), the respiratory compensation (Kussmaul respirations) produces:

Accepted Answer

Respiratory alkalosis to compensate for metabolic acidosis

Answer

Respiratory acidosis

Answer

No change in PaCO2

Answer

Metabolic alkalosis

Question 5

The anion gap is calculated as:

Accepted Answer

Na+ – (Cl– + HCO3–)

Answer

Na+ + K+ – (Cl– + HCO3–)

Answer

Cl– – HCO3–

Answer

Na+ – K+

Question 6

Which of the following causes a high anion gap metabolic acidosis?

Accepted Answer

Lactic acidosis

Answer

Diarrhea

Answer

Renal tubular acidosis

Answer

Excessive chloride infusion