FUNDA Acid-Base Balance

54. The nurse reviews the arterial blood gas results of a client and notes the following: pH 7.45, Paco2 of 30 mm
Hg (30 mm Hg), and HCO3– of 20 mEq/L (20 mmol/L). The nurse analyzes these results as indicating which
condition?
1. Metabolic acidosis, compensated
2. Respiratory alkalosis, compensated
3. Metabolic alkalosis, uncompensated
4. Respiratory acidosis, uncompensated
55. The nurse is caring for a client with a nasogastric tube that is attached to low suction. The nurse monitors the
client for manifestations of which disorder that the client is at risk for?
1. Metabolic acidosis
2. Metabolic alkalosis
3. Respiratory acidosis
4. Respiratory alkalosis
56. A client with a 3-day history of nausea and vomiting presents to the emergency department. The client is
hypoventilating and has a respiratory rate of 10 breaths per minute. The electrocardiogram (ECG) monitor
displays tachycardia, with a heart rate of 120 beats per minute. Arterial blood gases are drawn and the nurse
reviews the results, expecting to note which finding?
1. A decreased pH and an increased Paco2
2. An increased pH and a decreased Paco2
3. A decreased pH and a decreased HCO3 –
4. An increased pH and an increased HCO3 –
57. The nurse is caring for a client having respiratory distress related to an anxiety attack. Recent arterial blood
gas values are pH = 7.53, Pao2 = 72 mm Hg (72 mm Hg), Paco2 = 32 mm Hg (32 mm Hg), and = 28 mEq/L (28
mmol/L). Which conclusion about the client should the nurse make?
1. The client has acidotic blood.
2. The client is probably overreacting.
3. The client is fluid volume overloaded.
4. The client is probably hyperventilating.
58. The nurse is caring for a client with diabetic ketoacidosis and documents that the client is experiencing
Kussmaul’s respirations. Which patterns did the nurse observe? Select all that apply.
1. Respirations that are shallow
2. Respirations that are increased in rate
3. Respirations that are abnormally slow
4. Respirations that are abnormally deep
5. Respirations that cease for several seconds
59. A client who is found unresponsive has arterial blood gases drawn and the results indicate the following: pH is
7.12, Paco2 is 90 mm Hg (90 mm Hg), and is 22 mEq/L (22 mmol/L). The nurse interprets the results as
indicating which condition?
1. Metabolic acidosis with compensation
2. Respiratory acidosis with compensation
3. Metabolic acidosis without compensation
4. Respiratory acidosis without compensation
60. The nurse notes that a client’s arterial blood gas (ABG) results reveal a pH of 7.50 and a Paco2 of 30 mm Hg
(30 mm Hg). The nurse monitors the client for which clinical manifestations associated with these ABG
results? Select all that apply.
1. Nausea
2. Confusion
3. Bradypnea
4. Tachycardia
5. Hyperkalemia
6. Lightheadedness
61. The nurse reviews the blood gas results of a client with atelectasis. The nurse analyzes the results and
determines that the client is experiencing respiratory acidosis. Which result validates the nurse’s findings?
1. pH 7.25, Paco2 50 mm Hg (50 mm Hg)
2. pH 7.35, Paco2 40 mm Hg (40 mm Hg)
3. pH 7.50, Paco2 52 mm Hg (52 mm Hg)
4. pH 7.52, Paco2 28 mm Hg (28 mm Hg)
62. The nurse is caring for a client who is on a mechanical ventilator. Blood gas results indicate a pH of 7.50 and a
Paco2 of 30 mm Hg (30 mm Hg). The nurse has determined that the client is experiencing respiratory
alkalosis. Which laboratory value would most likely be noted in this condition?
1. Sodium level of 145 mEq/L (145 mmol/L)
2. Potassium level of 3.0 mEq/L (3.0 mmol/L)
3. Magnesium level of 1.8 (0.74 mmol/L)
4. Phosphorus level of 3.0 mg/dL (0.97 mmol/L)
63. The nurse is caring for a client with several broken ribs. The client is most likely to experience what type of
acid-base imbalance?
1. Respiratory acidosis from inadequate ventilation
2. Respiratory alkalosis from anxiety and hyperventilation
3. Metabolic acidosis from calcium loss due to broken bones
4. Metabolic alkalosis from taking analgesics containing base products
FUNDA Acid-Base Balance ANSWER KEY

54. Answer: 2
55. Answer: 2
56. Answer: 4
57. Answer: 4
58. Answer: 2, 4
59. Answer: 4
60. Answer: 1, 2, 4, 6
61. Answer: 1
62. Answer: 2
63. Answer: 1