Question 1

Which of the following would be a normal person's arterial carbon dioxide pressure (PaCO2)?

Accepted Answer

A)  25 to 35 mm Hg 
B)  35 to 45 mm Hg 
C)  45 to 60 mm Hg 
D)  60 to 80 mm Hg 
A)  25 to 35 mm Hg 
B)  35 to 45 mm Hg 
C)  45 to 60 mm Hg 
D)  60 to 80 mm Hg B

Question 2

What causes stimulation of the peripheral chemoreceptors to increase the ventilatory rate?

Accepted Answer

A)  Pain or anxiety 
B)  PaCO2 of about 40 mm Hg 
C)  PaO2 of about 60 mm Hg 
D)  Venous pH of 7.30 to 7.40 
A)  Pain or anxiety 
B)  PaCO2 of about 40 mm Hg 
C)  PaO2 of about 60 mm Hg 
D)  Venous pH of 7.30 to 7.40 C

Question 3

The most common cause of acute alveolar hyperventilation is:

Accepted Answer

A)  hypoxemia. 
B)  metabolic alkalosis. 
C)  tachycardia. 
D)  supplemental oxygen administration. 
A)  hypoxemia. 
B)  metabolic alkalosis. 
C)  tachycardia. 
D)  supplemental oxygen administration. A

Question 4

Common causes of metabolic alkalosis include:
1) diuretic therapy.
2) vomiting.
3) excessive sodium bicarbonate administration.
4) gastric suctioning.

Accepted Answer

A)  1, 3 
B)  2, 4 
C)  2, 3, 4 
D)  1, 2, 3, 4 
A)  1, 3 
B)  2, 4 
C)  2, 3, 4 
D)  1, 2, 3, 4

Question 5

All of the following will be seen in the arterial blood gas values of a patient with acute ventilatory failure EXCEPT a(n):

Accepted Answer

A)  acidic pH. 
B)  near-normal bicarbonate level. 
C)  alkaline pH. 
D)  high carbon dioxide level. 
A)  acidic pH. 
B)  near-normal bicarbonate level. 
C)  alkaline pH. 
D)  high carbon dioxide level.

Question 6

A respiratory therapist is questioning the accuracy of the ABG results obtained on a patient in the ICU. The results show a pH and PaO2 that seem unreasonably high, while the PaCO2 seems unreasonably low. Which of the following would most likely cause these erroneous results?

Accepted Answer

A)  A venous sample was obtained. 
B)  There was excessive heparin in the blood gas syringe. 
C)  The sample was excessively delayed in analysis. 
D)  There was an air bubble in the sample. 
A)  A venous sample was obtained. 
B)  There was excessive heparin in the blood gas syringe. 
C)  The sample was excessively delayed in analysis. 
D)  There was an air bubble in the sample.

Question 7

The respiratory therapist is assessing a patient with end-stage COPD who was admitted to the medical ward for an exacerbation of COPD due to increasing sputum purulence. The therapist notes the following ABG results in the patient's electronic medical record: pH 7.52, PaCO2 51; HCO2 40; PaO2 46. Which of the following is the best interpretation of these ABG results?

Accepted Answer

A)  Chronic ventilatory failure with hypoxemia 
B)  Acute ventilatory failure with hypoxemia 
C)  Partially compensated metabolic alkalosis with hypoxemia 
D)  Partially compensated respiratory acidosis with hypoxemia 
E)  Acute alveolar hyperventilation superimposed on chronic ventilatory failure 
A)  Chronic ventilatory failure with hypoxemia 
B)  Acute ventilatory failure with hypoxemia 
C)  Partially compensated metabolic alkalosis with hypoxemia 
D)  Partially compensated respiratory acidosis with hypoxemia 
E)  Acute alveolar hyperventilation superimposed on chronic ventilatory failure

Question 8

A patient has had chronic ventilatory failure for several years. What is the primary factor that determines her breathing pattern?

Accepted Answer

A)  Muscle efficiency 
B)  Ventilatory efficiency 
C)  Heart function 
D)  Work efficiency 
A)  Muscle efficiency 
B)  Ventilatory efficiency 
C)  Heart function 
D)  Work efficiency

Question 9

Mechanical ventilation is indicated for which of the following ABG results?

Accepted Answer

A)  pH 7.56; PaCO2 27; HCO3 23; PaO2 63 
B)  pH 7.23; PaCO2 63; HCO3 26; PaO2 52 
C)  pH 7.36; PaCO2 79; HCO3 43; PaO2 61 
D)  pH 7.52; PaCO2 51; HCO3 40; PaO2 46 
A)  pH 7.56; PaCO2 27; HCO3 23; PaO2 63 
B)  pH 7.23; PaCO2 63; HCO3 26; PaO2 52 
C)  pH 7.36; PaCO2 79; HCO3 43; PaO2 61 
D)  pH 7.52; PaCO2 51; HCO3 40; PaO2 46

Question 10

Which of the following would be a normal person's venous oxygen pressure (PaO2)?

Accepted Answer

A)  35 to 45 mm Hg 
B)  45 to 80 mm Hg 
C)  80 to 100 mm Hg 
D)  100 to 120 mm Hg 
A)  35 to 45 mm Hg 
B)  45 to 80 mm Hg 
C)  80 to 100 mm Hg 
D)  100 to 120 mm Hg

Question 11

Which of the following would be found in a stable patient with long-standing obstructive lung disease?

Accepted Answer

A)  Low bicarbonate level and low carbon dioxide level 
B)  Low bicarbonate level and high carbon dioxide level 
C)  High bicarbonate level and low carbon dioxide level 
D)  High bicarbonate level and high carbon dioxide level 
A)  Low bicarbonate level and low carbon dioxide level 
B)  Low bicarbonate level and high carbon dioxide level 
C)  High bicarbonate level and low carbon dioxide level 
D)  High bicarbonate level and high carbon dioxide level

Question 12

An anion gap of 15 would indicate:

Accepted Answer

A)  metabolic acidosis. 
B)  respiratory alkalosis. 
C)  respiratory acidosis. 
D)  metabolic alkalosis. 
A)  metabolic acidosis. 
B)  respiratory alkalosis. 
C)  respiratory acidosis. 
D)  metabolic alkalosis.

Question 13

Common causes of metabolic acidosis include all of the following EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

A)  diabetic ketoacidosis. 
B)  shallow breathing from a sedative overdose. 
C)  lactic acidosis. 
D)  renal (kidney) failure. 
A)  diabetic ketoacidosis. 
B)  shallow breathing from a sedative overdose. 
C)  lactic acidosis. 
D)  renal (kidney) failure.

Exam 4: Arterial Blood Gas Assessments

Which of the following would be a normal person's arterial carbon dioxide pressure (PaCO2)?

What causes stimulation of the peripheral chemoreceptors to increase the ventilatory rate?

The most common cause of acute alveolar hyperventilation is:

Common causes of metabolic alkalosis include: 1) diuretic therapy. 2) vomiting. 3) excessive sodium bicarbonate administration. 4) gastric suctioning.

All of the following will be seen in the arterial blood gas values of a patient with acute ventilatory failure EXCEPT a(n):

A respiratory therapist is questioning the accuracy of the ABG results obtained on a patient in the ICU. The results show a pH and PaO2 that seem unreasonably high, while the PaCO2 seems unreasonably low. Which of the following would most likely cause these erroneous results?

A patient has had chronic ventilatory failure for several years. What is the primary factor that determines her breathing pattern?

Mechanical ventilation is indicated for which of the following ABG results?

Which of the following would be a normal person's venous oxygen pressure (PaO2)?

Which of the following would be found in a stable patient with long-standing obstructive lung disease?

An anion gap of 15 would indicate:

Common causes of metabolic acidosis include all of the following EXCEPT:

The Patient Interview

The Physical Examination and Its Basis in Physiology

Pulmonary Function Study Assessments

Oxygenation Assessments

Cardiovascular System Assessments

Radiologic Examination of the Chest

Other Important Tests and Procedures

The Therapist-Driven Protocol Program and the Role of the Respiratory Therapist

Respiratory Failure and the Mechanical Ventilation Protocol

Recording Skills: The Basis for Data Collection, Organization, Assessment Skill

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Chronic Bronchitis, and Emphysema

Asthma

Bronchiectasis

Cystic Fibrosis

Pneumonia

Lung Abscess

Tuberculosis

Fungal Diseases of the Lung

Pulmonary Edema

Pulmonary Vascular Disease: Pulmonary Embolism and Pulmonary Hypertension

Flail Chest

Pneumothorax

Pleural Effusion and Empyema

Kyphoscoliosis

Interstitial Lung Diseases

Cancer of the Lung

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Guillain-Barré Syndrome

Myasthenia Gravis

Sleep Apnea

Clinical Manifestations Common with Newborn and Early Childhood Respiratory Dis

Meconium Aspiration Syndrome

Transient Tachypnea of the Newborn

Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Pulmonary Air Leak Syndromes

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (Bronchiolitis or Pneumonitis)

Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia

Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia

Congenital Heart Diseases

Croup Syndrome: Laryngotracheobronchitis and Acute Epiglottitis

Near Drowning/Wet Drowning

Smoke Inhalation, Thermal Injuries, and Carbon Monoxide Intoxication

Atelectasis

Filters

Which of the following would be a normal person's arterial carbon dioxide pressure (PaCO₂)?

A respiratory therapist is questioning the accuracy of the ABG results obtained on a patient in the ICU. The results show a pH and PaO₂ that seem unreasonably high, while the PaCO₂ seems unreasonably low. Which of the following would most likely cause these erroneous results?

Which of the following would be a normal person's venous oxygen pressure (PaO₂)?