ABGs

Question 1

What does ABG stand for?

Answer 1

Arterial Blood Gas

Question 2

What are the primary components measured in an ABG?

Answer 2

pH, PaO2, PaCO2, HCO3-

Question 3

True or False: An ABG test can help determine the acid-base status of a patient.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

What is the normal range for arterial blood pH?

Answer 4

7.35 to 7.45

Question 5

Fill in the blank: The normal range for PaCO2 is _____ mmHg.

Answer 5

35 to 45

Question 6

What does a high PaCO2 indicate?

Answer 6

Hypoventilation or respiratory acidosis

Question 7

What is the normal range for HCO3- in arterial blood?

Answer 7

22 to 26 mEq/L

Question 8

Multiple choice: Which condition is characterized by a low pH and high PaCO2?

Answer 8

Respiratory acidosis

Question 9

What is the significance of measuring PaO2?

Answer 9

It indicates the oxygenation status of the blood.

Question 10

True or False: A low HCO3- level indicates metabolic acidosis.

Answer 10

True

Question 11

What is the role of bicarbonate in the blood?

Answer 11

It acts as a buffer to maintain pH balance.

Question 12

Fill in the blank: A pH above 7.45 indicates _____.

Answer 12

Alkalosis

Question 13

What is the primary cause of metabolic alkalosis?

Answer 13

Loss of hydrogen ions or excess bicarbonate

Question 14

Multiple choice: Which of the following is NOT a cause of respiratory acidosis?

Answer 14

Hyperventilation

Question 15

What does the term ‘compensation’ refer to in ABG interpretation?

Answer 15

Physiological adjustments made by the body to counteract acid-base imbalances.

Question 16

What is the most common site for arterial blood sampling?

Answer 16

Radial artery

Question 17

Fill in the blank: The term ‘hypoxemia’ refers to _____ levels of oxygen in the blood.

Answer 17

Low

Question 18

What is the purpose of performing an ABG test?

Answer 18

To assess a patient’s respiratory and metabolic function.

Question 19

Multiple choice: Which of the following conditions can lead to respiratory alkalosis?

Answer 19

Anxiety and hyperventilation

Question 20

What is the expected PaO2 range for a healthy adult at sea level?

Answer 20

75 to 100 mmHg

Question 21

True or False: A patient with a pH of 7.32 is in acidosis.

Answer 21

True

Question 22

What does a low PaO2 indicate?

Answer 22

Insufficient oxygen in the blood.

Question 23

Multiple choice: A patient presents with a pH of 7.50 and a PaCO2 of 30 mmHg. What condition might this indicate?

Answer 23

Respiratory alkalosis

Question 24

What is the Allen’s test?

Answer 24

Test to evaluate collateral blood flow

Question 25

What are some contraindications for drawing ABGs?

Answer 25

Local infections, thrombus, severe PVD, active raynaud's

Question 26

What occurs during alveolar HYPOventilation?

Answer 26

Respiratory acidosis: low pH, and high PaCO2. The body is retaining CO2 because of decreased respirations.

Question 27

What occurs during alveolar HYPERventilation?

Answer 27

Respiratory alkalosis: high pH and low PaCO2. The body is breathing off too much CO2 because of excessive respiration.

Question 28

Metabolic disturbances are caused by shifts in ______.

Answer 28

Serum hydrogen

Question 29

Kidneys are responsible for the delicate balance of _____ and _____.

Answer 29

hydrogen and bicarb

Question 30

Metabolic acidosis presents as:

Answer 30

Low pH and low HCO3

Question 31

Metabolic alkalosis presents as:

Answer 31

High pH and high HCO3

Question 32

Compensated acidosis/alkalosis causes the pH to _______.

Answer 32

regulate/return to normal

Question 33

During compensated respiratory acidosis what is the compensatory action?

Answer 33

The renal system compensates for excessive acids by increasing the amount of bicarb in the blood (not secreting it).

Question 34

During compensated metabolic alkalosis, what is the compensatory action?

Answer 34

The lungs compensate by increases PCO2 via hypoventilation.