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Quizzes > Health & Medicine > Human Anatomy & Medicine

ABG Practice Quiz: Can You Ace Blood Gas Interpretation?

Sharpen your ABG interpretation practice with these arterial blood gases practice questions.

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration for ABG practice questions quiz on a teal background

Sharpen your diagnostic acumen with our ABG Practice Questions: Ace Blood Gas Interpretation quiz! This challenge lets you tackle arterial blood gas practice questions covering pH, PaCO2, HCO3-, oxygenation and acid-base disturbances. You'll solidify your grasp through targeted abg interpretation practice, polish critical thinking and boost confidence. Whether you're brushing up on arterial blood gases practice questions or exploring advanced practice abgs questions, you'll build skills fast. Start now with our blood gas practice questions and level up through the arterial blood gas interpretation quiz . Ready to ace those ABGs?

What is the normal reference range for arterial blood pH?
7.25–7.35
7.35–7.45
7.45–7.55
7.15–7.25
The normal arterial blood pH is tightly regulated between 7.35 and 7.45. Deviations below 7.35 indicate acidemia, and above 7.45 indicate alkalemia. Maintaining pH within this range is critical for enzyme function and cellular processes. Source
Which arterial blood gas result is most consistent with acute respiratory acidosis?
pH 7.25, PaCO2 60 mmHg, HCO3? 24 mEq/L
pH 7.50, PaCO2 30 mmHg, HCO3? 24 mEq/L
pH 7.35, PaCO2 40 mmHg, HCO3? 24 mEq/L
pH 7.38, PaCO2 42 mmHg, HCO3? 25 mEq/L
Acute respiratory acidosis presents with a low pH (<7.35) and elevated PaCO2 (>45 mmHg), while HCO3? remains near normal in the acute setting. Chronic cases show elevated HCO3? due to renal compensation, which is not present here. Identifying acute versus chronic is based on HCO3? change. Source
In metabolic acidosis, which primary change occurs in the arterial blood gas?
Increase in PaCO2
Decrease in HCO3?
Increase in SaO2
Increase in pH
Metabolic acidosis is characterized by a primary decrease in bicarbonate (HCO3?), leading to a drop in pH. PaCO2 may decrease secondarily due to respiratory compensation but is not the primary change. Recognizing primary changes guides diagnosis. Source
Which ABG parameter reflects the partial pressure of oxygen dissolved in plasma?
SaO2
PaO2
CaO2
PvO2
PaO2 measures the partial pressure of oxygen dissolved in arterial plasma. SaO2 measures hemoglobin saturation, CaO2 total oxygen content, and PvO2 is venous oxygen partial pressure. PaO2 is critical for assessing oxygenation. Source
Calculate the anion gap in a patient with Na? 140 mEq/L, Cl? 104 mEq/L, and HCO3? 24 mEq/L.
8 mEq/L
12 mEq/L
18 mEq/L
20 mEq/L
The anion gap is calculated as Na? – (Cl? + HCO3?). Here, 140 – (104 + 24) = 12 mEq/L, which is within the normal range (8–16). It helps differentiate types of metabolic acidosis. Source
A patient has pH 7.50, PaCO2 30 mmHg, and HCO3? 23 mEq/L. What is the primary acid-base disorder?
Acute respiratory alkalosis
Chronic respiratory alkalosis
Metabolic alkalosis
Metabolic acidosis
A high pH (>7.45) with low PaCO2 (<35 mmHg) and near-normal HCO3? indicates primary respiratory alkalosis. The HCO3? is not elevated, suggesting an acute process without renal compensation. Source
Using Winter's formula, what is the expected PaCO2 for a patient with metabolic acidosis and HCO3? of 12 mEq/L?
18 mmHg
26 mmHg
32 mmHg
40 mmHg
Winter's formula estimates expected PaCO2 = (1.5 × HCO3?) + 8 ± 2. For HCO3? 12, (1.5 ×12)+8 = 26 mmHg. Values outside this range may indicate mixed disorders. Source
Interpret the following ABG: pH 7.26, PaCO2 30 mmHg, HCO3? 14 mEq/L.
Primary metabolic acidosis with respiratory compensation
Primary respiratory alkalosis with metabolic compensation
Primary metabolic alkalosis with respiratory compensation
Primary respiratory acidosis with metabolic compensation
The low pH and low HCO3? indicate metabolic acidosis. The PaCO2 is also reduced, reflecting respiratory compensation. The pattern is consistent with a primary metabolic acidosis and appropriate compensatory hyperventilation. Source
A COPD patient’s ABG shows pH 7.38, PaCO2 55 mmHg, HCO3? 34 mEq/L. What is the acid-base status?
Acute respiratory acidosis
Chronic respiratory acidosis with metabolic compensation
Metabolic alkalosis
Mixed disorder
In chronic respiratory acidosis, the pH is near normal or slightly acidemic with elevated PaCO2, and HCO3? is increased due to renal compensation. This pattern is typical in COPD. Source
Calculate the alveolar-arterial (A–a) O? gradient for a patient at sea level (FiO? 21%) with PaO? 70 mmHg and PaCO? 40 mmHg (R=0.8).
?20 mmHg
?40 mmHg
?60 mmHg
?80 mmHg
PAO? = (0.21×760) – (PaCO?/0.8) ? 160 – 50 = 110 mmHg. A–a gradient = PAO? – PaO? = 110 – 70 = 40 mmHg. Normal is <15 mmHg; elevation suggests V/Q mismatch. Source
Which urine chloride level suggests saline-responsive (chloride-responsive) metabolic alkalosis?
Urine Cl? <15 mEq/L
Urine Cl? 25–40 mEq/L
Urine Cl? >40 mEq/L
Urine Cl? 16–24 mEq/L
Chloride-responsive metabolic alkalosis typically shows urine chloride <20 mEq/L. It responds to saline infusion. Higher urine chloride suggests a different etiology. Source
Interpret the ABG: pH 7.50, PaCO2 60 mmHg, HCO3? 40 mEq/L.
Primary respiratory acidosis with renal compensation
Primary metabolic alkalosis with respiratory compensation
Mixed metabolic alkalosis and respiratory acidosis
Fully compensated respiratory acidosis
The high pH indicates alkalosis, but PaCO? is elevated (acidosis) and HCO?? is increased (alkalosis), indicating two primary disorders. This pattern represents a mixed metabolic alkalosis and respiratory acidosis. Source
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Study Outcomes

  1. Analyze ABG Components -

    Break down key parameters such as pH, PaCO₂, and HCO₃❻ using targeted abg practice questions to understand their physiological significance.

  2. Interpret Acid-Base Imbalances -

    Use arterial blood gases practice questions to identify and classify respiratory versus metabolic acidosis and alkalosis.

  3. Differentiate Compensation Mechanisms -

    Apply concepts of renal and respiratory compensation when working through practice abgs questions to predict patient responses.

  4. Evaluate Clinical Scenarios -

    Leverage real-world arterial blood gas practice questions to sharpen critical thinking and diagnostic reasoning skills.

  5. Apply Systematic ABG Analysis -

    Develop a step-by-step approach to abg interpretation practice, ensuring consistent and accurate evaluations under pressure.

  6. Enhance NCLEX Readiness -

    Reinforce test-taking strategies and confidence by practicing with focused abg practice questions aligned to exam-style formats.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Normal ABG reference ranges & ROME mnemonic -

    Familiarize yourself with standard arterial blood gas values (pH 7.35 - 7.45, PaCO2 35 - 45 mmHg, HCO3− 22 - 26 mEq/L) before diving into abg practice questions. Use the ROME mnemonic ("Respiratory → Opposite, Metabolic → Equal") to quickly recall that pH and PaCO2 move in opposite directions in respiratory disorders and in the same direction in metabolic ones.

  2. Stepwise ABG interpretation approach -

    Adopt a structured method: first assess pH (acidosis vs. alkalosis), then determine if the primary disturbance is respiratory (PaCO2) or metabolic (HCO3−), and finally evaluate compensation. This systematic analysis is essential for success in arterial blood gas practice questions and abg interpretation practice.

  3. Henderson - Hasselbalch equation & pH regulation -

    Remember the Henderson - Hasselbalch formula (pH = 6.1 + log([HCO3−]/(0.03×PaCO2))), which underpins the chemical relationship between bicarbonate and carbon dioxide in buffers. Understanding this equation enhances your ability to predict pH changes during acid - base imbalances and sharpen your metabolic vs. respiratory distinctions in abg interpretation practice.

  4. Compensation rules & Winter's formula -

    Learn expected compensation: for metabolic acidosis use Winter's formula (Expected PaCO2 = 1.5×HCO3− + 8 ±2) to detect mixed disorders when actual PaCO2 deviates. Similar equations exist for metabolic alkalosis and respiratory compensations, helping you flag complex imbalances in practice abgs questions confidently.

  5. Clinical correlations & key scenarios -

    Associate ABG patterns with common clinical conditions: COPD exacerbations yield respiratory acidosis, DKA causes metabolic acidosis, and persistent vomiting produces metabolic alkalosis. Practice with real-world arterial blood gases practice questions to strengthen your diagnostic speed and accuracy ahead of exams.

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