Question 1

In the face of uncompensated respiratory acidosis, which of the following blood gas abnormalities would you expect to encounter?
1) Decreased pH
2) Increased HCO3-
3) Increased PCO2
4) Increased pH

Accepted Answer

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

Question 2

What is the primary buffer system for fixed acids?

Accepted Answer

A)  Cl- 
B)  HCO3- 
C)  Phosphate 
D)  Plasma proteins

Question 3

A patient has a blood gas result of: pH 7.29, PaCO2 of 60 mm Hg, and a HCO3 of 18 mEq/L. What is the blood gas indicating?
1) It is indicating a combined acidosis.
2) Patient has a primary respiratory and a primary metabolic disorder.
3) Compensation is not possible.

Accepted Answer

A) 3 only 
B) 1 and 2 only 
C) 2 and 3 only 
D) 1, 2, and 3

Question 4

Which of the following is/are cause(s) of hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis?
1) Hyperalimentation
2) Methanol intoxication
3) Severe diarrhea
4) NH4Cl administration

Accepted Answer

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

Question 5

Which of the following is/are true about the relationship between chloride (Cl-) and bicarbonate HCO3- in acid-base balance?
1) For each Cl- ion excreted into the urine, the blood gains an HCO3- ion.
2) Blood Cl- and HCO3- ion levels are reciprocally related.
3) People with chronically high CO2 tend to have low blood Cl- levels.
4) Activation of the NH3 buffer system enhances Cl- gain and HCO3 loss.

Accepted Answer

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

Question 6

[H+] can be determined by the use of which factors?
1) HCO3-
2) H2CO3
3) Inorganic phosphorus
4) PaO2

Accepted Answer

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

Question 7

Using the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation, determine the accuracy of the gas below. To be considered accurate, it must be within 0.03 pH unit. pH = 7.22, PCO2 = 49 mm Hg, HCO3- = 20 mEq/L

Accepted Answer

A)  This gas is completely accurate. 
B)  This gas is accurate as the calculated pH is 7.23. 
C)  This gas is accurate as the calculated pH is 7.20. 
D)  This gas is inaccurate according to the H-H equation.

Question 8

Based on the following ABG results, what is the most likely acid-base diagnosis? pH = 7.62, PCO2 = 32 mm Hg, HCO3- = 29 mEq/L

Accepted Answer

A)  Acute (uncompensated) metabolic alkalosis 
B)  Combined metabolic and respiratory alkalosis 
C)  Partially compensated metabolic alkalosis 
D)  Partially compensated respiratory acidosis

Question 9

Which of the following are signs and symptoms of acute respiratory alkalosis?
1) Convulsions
2) Depressed reflexes
3) Dizziness
4) Paresthesia

Accepted Answer

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

Question 10

Which organ system maintains the normal level of HCO3- at 24 mEq/L?

Accepted Answer

A)  Liver 
B)  Lung 
C)  Renal 
D)  Spleen

Question 11

In a patient with Kussmaul's respirations, what acid-base disturbance would you expect to see?

Accepted Answer

A)  Metabolic acidosis 
B)  Metabolic alkalosis 
C)  Respiratory acidosis 
D)  Respiratory alkalosis

Question 12

Compensation for respiratory alkalosis occurs through which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A)  Renal excretion of H+ 
B)  Renal excretion of HCO3- 
C)  Renal excretion of NH4+ 
D)  Renal reabsorption of HCO3-

Question 13

What is the normal range for BE?

Accepted Answer

A)  ±2 mEq/L 
B)  ±4 mEq/L 
C)  ±6 mEq/L 
D)  ±24 mEq/L

Question 14

Which of the following are components of the body's nonbicarbonate buffer system?
1) Hemoglobin
2) Plasma proteins
3) Organic phosphates
4) Inorganic phosphates

Accepted Answer

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

Question 15

What compensates for a metabolic alkalosis?

Accepted Answer

A)  Hyperventilation 
B)  Hypoventilation 
C)  Renal excretion of HCO3- 
D)  Renal retention of H+

Question 16

Based on the following ABG results, what is the most likely acid-base diagnosis? pH = 6.89, PCO2 = 24 mm Hg, HCO3- = 4.7 mEq/L

Accepted Answer

A)  Acute (uncompensated) metabolic acidosis 
B)  Acute (uncompensated) respiratory acidosis 
C)  Partially compensated metabolic acidosis 
D)  Partially compensated respiratory acidosis

Question 17

Normally which of the following occur when the kidneys eliminate H+?
1) Sodium ions (and water) are reabsorbed.
2) HCO3- is reabsorbed in proportion to the H+ excreted.
3) Bicarbonate buffer capacity is restored.

Accepted Answer

A) 1, 2, and 3 
B) 1 and 3 only 
C) 2 only 
D) 2 and 3 only

Question 18

What drives the bicarbonate buffer systems enormous ability to buffer acids?

Accepted Answer

A)  The fact that H2CO3 is a strong buffer 
B)  The Henderson-Hasselbalch equation 
C)  The large amounts of 2,3-DPG in red blood cells 
D)  Ventilation continually removing CO2 from system

Question 19

In regard to acid excretion by the body, which of the following statements are true?
1) If one system fails, the other can help compensate.
2) The kidneys can only remove fixed acids.
3) The kidneys can quickly remove acid.
4) The lungs can quickly remove acid.

Accepted Answer

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

Question 20

What condition or treatment could cause iatrogenic respiratory alkalosis?

Accepted Answer

A)  Central nervous system stimulation 
B)  Mechanical hyperventilation 
C)  Severe hypoxemia 
D)  Vagal stimulation

Exam 14: Acid-Base Balance

In the face of uncompensated respiratory acidosis, which of the following blood gas abnormalities would you expect to encounter? 1) Decreased pH 2) Increased HCO₃^- 3) Increased PCO₂ 4) Increased pH

What is the primary buffer system for fixed acids?

A patient has a blood gas result of: pH 7.29, PaCO₂ of 60 mm Hg, and a HCO₃ of 18 mEq/L. What is the blood gas indicating? 1) It is indicating a combined acidosis. 2) Patient has a primary respiratory and a primary metabolic disorder. 3) Compensation is not possible.

Which of the following is/are cause(s) of hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis? 1) Hyperalimentation 2) Methanol intoxication 3) Severe diarrhea 4) NH₄Cl administration

[H⁺] can be determined by the use of which factors? 1) HCO₃^- 2) H₂CO₃ 3) Inorganic phosphorus 4) PaO₂

Using the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation, determine the accuracy of the gas below. To be considered accurate, it must be within 0.03 pH unit. pH = 7.22, PCO₂ = 49 mm Hg, HCO₃^- = 20 mEq/L

Based on the following ABG results, what is the most likely acid-base diagnosis? pH = 7.62, PCO₂ = 32 mm Hg, HCO₃^- = 29 mEq/L

Which of the following are signs and symptoms of acute respiratory alkalosis? 1) Convulsions 2) Depressed reflexes 3) Dizziness 4) Paresthesia

Which organ system maintains the normal level of HCO₃^- at 24 mEq/L?

In a patient with Kussmaul's respirations, what acid-base disturbance would you expect to see?

Compensation for respiratory alkalosis occurs through which of the following?

What is the normal range for BE?

Which of the following are components of the body's nonbicarbonate buffer system? 1) Hemoglobin 2) Plasma proteins 3) Organic phosphates 4) Inorganic phosphates

What compensates for a metabolic alkalosis?

Based on the following ABG results, what is the most likely acid-base diagnosis? pH = 6.89, PCO₂ = 24 mm Hg, HCO₃^- = 4.7 mEq/L

Normally which of the following occur when the kidneys eliminate H⁺? 1) Sodium ions (and water) are reabsorbed. 2) HCO₃^- is reabsorbed in proportion to the H⁺ excreted. 3) Bicarbonate buffer capacity is restored.

What drives the bicarbonate buffer systems enormous ability to buffer acids?

In regard to acid excretion by the body, which of the following statements are true? 1) If one system fails, the other can help compensate. 2) The kidneys can only remove fixed acids. 3) The kidneys can quickly remove acid. 4) The lungs can quickly remove acid.

What condition or treatment could cause iatrogenic respiratory alkalosis?

Exam 14: Acid-Base Balance

In the face of uncompensated respiratory acidosis, which of the following blood gas abnormalities would you expect to encounter? 1) Decreased pH 2) Increased HCO3- 3) Increased PCO2 4) Increased pH

What is the primary buffer system for fixed acids?

A patient has a blood gas result of: pH 7.29, PaCO2 of 60 mm Hg, and a HCO3 of 18 mEq/L. What is the blood gas indicating? 1) It is indicating a combined acidosis. 2) Patient has a primary respiratory and a primary metabolic disorder. 3) Compensation is not possible.

Which of the following is/are cause(s) of hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis? 1) Hyperalimentation 2) Methanol intoxication 3) Severe diarrhea 4) NH4Cl administration

[H+] can be determined by the use of which factors? 1) HCO3- 2) H2CO3 3) Inorganic phosphorus 4) PaO2

Using the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation, determine the accuracy of the gas below. To be considered accurate, it must be within 0.03 pH unit. pH = 7.22, PCO2 = 49 mm Hg, HCO3- = 20 mEq/L

Based on the following ABG results, what is the most likely acid-base diagnosis? pH = 7.62, PCO2 = 32 mm Hg, HCO3- = 29 mEq/L

Which of the following are signs and symptoms of acute respiratory alkalosis? 1) Convulsions 2) Depressed reflexes 3) Dizziness 4) Paresthesia

Which organ system maintains the normal level of HCO3- at 24 mEq/L?

In a patient with Kussmaul's respirations, what acid-base disturbance would you expect to see?

Compensation for respiratory alkalosis occurs through which of the following?

What is the normal range for BE?

Which of the following are components of the body's nonbicarbonate buffer system? 1) Hemoglobin 2) Plasma proteins 3) Organic phosphates 4) Inorganic phosphates

What compensates for a metabolic alkalosis?

Based on the following ABG results, what is the most likely acid-base diagnosis? pH = 6.89, PCO2 = 24 mm Hg, HCO3- = 4.7 mEq/L

Normally which of the following occur when the kidneys eliminate H+? 1) Sodium ions (and water) are reabsorbed. 2) HCO3- is reabsorbed in proportion to the H+ excreted. 3) Bicarbonate buffer capacity is restored.

What drives the bicarbonate buffer systems enormous ability to buffer acids?

In regard to acid excretion by the body, which of the following statements are true? 1) If one system fails, the other can help compensate. 2) The kidneys can only remove fixed acids. 3) The kidneys can quickly remove acid. 4) The lungs can quickly remove acid.

What condition or treatment could cause iatrogenic respiratory alkalosis?

In the face of uncompensated respiratory acidosis, which of the following blood gas abnormalities would you expect to encounter? 1) Decreased pH 2) Increased HCO₃^- 3) Increased PCO₂ 4) Increased pH

A patient has a blood gas result of: pH 7.29, PaCO₂ of 60 mm Hg, and a HCO₃ of 18 mEq/L. What is the blood gas indicating? 1) It is indicating a combined acidosis. 2) Patient has a primary respiratory and a primary metabolic disorder. 3) Compensation is not possible.

Which of the following is/are cause(s) of hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis? 1) Hyperalimentation 2) Methanol intoxication 3) Severe diarrhea 4) NH₄Cl administration

[H⁺] can be determined by the use of which factors? 1) HCO₃^- 2) H₂CO₃ 3) Inorganic phosphorus 4) PaO₂

Using the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation, determine the accuracy of the gas below. To be considered accurate, it must be within 0.03 pH unit. pH = 7.22, PCO₂ = 49 mm Hg, HCO₃^- = 20 mEq/L

Based on the following ABG results, what is the most likely acid-base diagnosis? pH = 7.62, PCO₂ = 32 mm Hg, HCO₃^- = 29 mEq/L

Which organ system maintains the normal level of HCO₃^- at 24 mEq/L?

Based on the following ABG results, what is the most likely acid-base diagnosis? pH = 6.89, PCO₂ = 24 mm Hg, HCO₃^- = 4.7 mEq/L

Normally which of the following occur when the kidneys eliminate H⁺? 1) Sodium ions (and water) are reabsorbed. 2) HCO₃^- is reabsorbed in proportion to the H⁺ excreted. 3) Bicarbonate buffer capacity is restored.