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Arterial Blood Gas Interpretation for NCLEX Quiz (40 Questions)

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Gil Wayne BSN, R.N.

Updated on

May 27, 2025

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Arterial Blood Gas Interpretation for NCLEX Quiz (40 Questions)
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Let us help you review the concepts behind arterial blood gas interpretation for the NCLEX with these acid-base balance practice questions.

Arterial Blood Gas Interpretation Practice Quiz

In this section are the practice problems and questions for arterial blood gas interpretation. This nursing test bank set includes 40 questions divided into two parts. Includes topics are arterial blood gas interpretation, acid-base balance and imbalances, respiratory acidosis and alkalosis, and metabolic acidosis and alkalosis.

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Quizzes included in this ABG nursing test bank are:

Quiz No.Quiz TitleQuestions
1Arterial Blood Gas Interpretation Practice Exam20
2Arterial Blood Gas Interpretation Challenge Exam20

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About the Author
Gil Wayne BSN, R.N.

Gil Wayne ignites the minds of future nurses through his work as a part-time nurse instructor, writer, and contributor for Nurseslabs, striving to inspire the next generation to reach their full potential and elevate the nursing profession.

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45 responses to “Arterial Blood Gas Interpretation for NCLEX Quiz (40 Questions)”

  1. Thompson Egbudu Avatar
    Thompson Egbudu

    Thank you for work done so far. god bless you.
    I’ll like you to review this question No:20 under ABGs NCLEX Quiz 2. The correct answer you gave contradicts with the rationale -” For these ABG values, pH is NORMAL but slightly acidic and lines up with PACO2 which is METABOLIC. Therefore, this group of ABG values is considered METABOLIC ALKALOSIS.” Thank you.. pls see below.

    20. Question
    Match the acid-base status of the following blood samples to the disorders in the given choices. (PaCO2 values are in mm Hg and bicarbonate values in mmol/l).

    pH 7.39, PaCO2 59, HCO3- 35

    A. Respiratory Acidosis, Uncompensated
    B. Metabolic Alkalosis, Uncompensated
    C. Respiratory Acidosis, Fully Compensated
    D. Metabolic Alkalosis, Partially Compensated
    Correct
    Correct Answer: C. Respiratory Acidosis, Fully Compensated

    Based on the given ABG values, pH is 7.39. For pH, the normal range is 7.35 to 7.45. So it is NORMAL.
    PaCO2 is 59. The normal range for PaCO2 is from 35 to 45. If PaCO2 is above 45, it is acidosis. Based on the given ABG values, PaCO2 is above 45, so it is considered ACIDOSIS.
    HCO3- is 35. The normal range for HCO3 is from 22 to 26. If HCO3 is above 26, it is alkalosis. Based on the given ABG values, HCO3 is above 26, so it is considered ALKALOSIS.
    For these ABG values, pH is NORMAL but slightly acidic and lines up with PACO2 which is METABOLIC. Therefore, this group of ABG values is considered METABOLIC ALKALOSIS.
    Lastly, it is FULLY COMPENSATED because pH is normal. It is considered fully compensated if pH is normal.

    Thompson.

    Reply
    1. aliyah Avatar
      aliyah

      Agreed, the symptoms also line up with patient being alkalosis as well: irritability and diarrhea. Assuming SaO2 levels are normal, increased respirations would point to alkalosis as well.

      Reply
    2. noreen Avatar
      noreen

      I beg to disagree with your analysis.
      The answer is correct Respiratory Acidosis with Fully compensated. The pH is within normal limits, the PCO2 is high meaning respiratory aspect is getting acidotic and because the respiratory is getting acidotic the kidney which the HCO3 is compensating well by increasing.

      Reply
      1. Judith Avatar
        Judith

        The answer is Respiratory acidosis; fully compensated.

    3. Regina Avatar
      Regina

      Hi Thompson,

      I respectfully disagree with your analysis of the question as well. Since the pH is within normal limits, it is fully compensated, you are correct. The absolute normal for pH is 7.4, so since 7.39 is below the absolute it is still considered acidic. From there, The PaCO2 is elevated above normal range of 35-45, along with HCO3- elevated from the normal range of 22-26. HCO3- is elevated due to renal compensation. We know with respiratory disorders of ABGs, respiratory values go in opposite directions of one another and metabolic values go in the same directions (ROME method). Therefore, this situation is respiratory acidosis.

      Reply
      1. rio Avatar
        rio

        I agree.

    4. Batule Avatar
      Batule

      This is fully compesated Respiratory acidosis because PCO2 is corrected by respiratory system and not metabolism as it does the Kidney to HCO3

      Reply
      1. Lizzy Avatar
        Lizzy

        I agree

    5. Afra Avatar
      Afra

      No, the answer should be Respiratory Acidosis. PaCO2 is respiratory fully compensated.

      Reply
    6. SHEEBA DANIEL Avatar
      SHEEBA DANIEL

      Very good explanation — simple and understanding

      Reply
    7. Marion Avatar
      Marion

      You are correct Thompson, that there is compensation. This is because the bicarb has increased, providing a normal ph. A client with a PaCO2 of 59 is still having respiratory issues despite the body compensating. In response to Aliyah, Increased respirations are an attempt to get rid of more CO2.

      Reply
  2. Adline Merrill Avatar
    Adline Merrill

    i love this material i never understand before

    Reply
  3. RAHAMATA ADAMS Avatar
    RAHAMATA ADAMS

    A 73year man has been admitted to the unit with a diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease .he states that he has difficulty breathing when walking short distance .he also states that his heart feels like it is racing at the same time .he states that he is tired all the time and while talking to you he is continually wringing his hands and looking out the windows.1.Identify the 4 health problem of the patient.2.formulate the nursing diagnosis

    Reply
  4. Jasmine Avatar
    Jasmine

    Thompson,
    The PaCo2 is high and the pH is normal but slightly acidic because it is on the lower end. Using the ROME method, this would make it respiratory acidosis, fully compensated. I recommend using the ROME method (respiratory opposite metabolic equal).

    Reply
  5. ALI Avatar
    ALI

    B. Metabolic Acidosis, Partially Compensated

    REASON: NORMAL
    pH (ACID 0 10 ALK)
    CO2 (ACID 100 0 ALK.)
    HCO3 (ACID 0 50 ALK)

    Reply
  6. Deogracious Bulegyeya Avatar
    Deogracious Bulegyeya

    Thanks for this topic of ABGs here on NCLEX
    I have understood this topic than I did ever in my academic career

    Reply
    1. Eunice Avatar
      Eunice

      Thanks for the lesson I can answer the question correctly

      Reply
  7. Fred D. Sonya Avatar
    Fred D. Sonya

    In the Arterial Blood Gas Interpretation Practice Quiz (Part 1: 20 Items), I think the correct answer to Q3. should have been : Respiratory Alkalosis, Partially Compensated. Please revisit and let me know. Thanks for the resources.

    Reply
  8. Fred D Sonya Avatar
    Fred D Sonya

    The answer is quite in order. Pls disregard comment. Thanks

    Reply
  9. Irvin R Vaughn Avatar
    Irvin R Vaughn

    This ABG’s study with the practice quiz was great and help me understand the difference in acidosis and alkalosis, respiratory versus metabolic and also compensated as well as uncompensated to fully compensated. Thanks for the resources.

    Reply
  10. IW Mashoud Avatar
    IW Mashoud

    The blood Ph is more towards Acidic. the PaCo2 is elevated, which is always an indicator for respiratory acidosis.
    the HCO3 is also elevated, but an elevated HCO3 is is also always an indicator for Metabolic Alkalosis.
    Since the Ph of the blood is is towards acidity, and the PaCO2 is elevated, the patient is in respiratory acidosis, the HCO3 is also elevated because homeostasis have set in an the body needs to form more alkaines to compensate for the increased acidity. since the Ph of the blood, though towards acidity but still within normal, that means the RESPIRATORY ACIDOSIS IS FULLY COMPENSATED.

    Reply
  11. angeline Avatar
    angeline

    This is such a helpful one> thank you so much for sharing this.

    Reply
  12. anna l Avatar
    anna l

    Very helpful and informative

    Reply
    1. Matt Vera, BSN, R.N. Avatar
      Matt Vera, BSN, R.N.

      Thank you!

      Reply
  13. Ann marie Green Avatar
    Ann marie Green

    This helpful thank you so much for sharing.

    Reply
  14. Jennifer Mensah Avatar
    Jennifer Mensah

    The answer is Respiratory Acidosis, Fully compensated. This is because the ph is within normal range and based on the principle of ROME which is Respiratory Opposite Metabolic Equal, the PCO2 of 59 is Acidotic. Therefore, the PCO2 is Opposite to the ph (7.39) meaning that the result is Respiratory Acidosis, Fully compensated.

    Reply
  15. Charity Avatar
    Charity

    Really helpful. Thanks

    Reply
  16. vickie Avatar
    vickie

    Thanks for the lecture and this quiz. Now I understand ABG better and it will be quite helpful in my practice!

    Reply
  17. am Avatar
    am

    This was very helpful. I truly understand ABG and compensation now. Love that the questions were NCLEA style questions

    Reply
  18. Simone Avatar
    Simone

    For #9 shouldn’t the answer be Metabolic Alkalosis, Fully Compensated?

    Reply
    1. omar hameed Avatar
      omar hameed

      why metabolic? it’s Asmathic baby! with Pco2 is 72, so it’s resp acidosis, the body inorder to compensate raises the bicarbonate to 38, so it’s fully compensated

      Reply
  19. Cindy Mwaniki Avatar
    Cindy Mwaniki

    Everything was well explained and understood,thank you

    Reply
  20. Dr Avatar
    Dr

    Hello Thompson and other colleges,

    I disagree as well. Please read the case history before reading the ABG chart. The PH was leaning towards acidic hence being compensated. It’s not metabolic alkalosis.

    Reply
  21. Dino Lomedico Avatar
    Dino Lomedico

    Known about blood gases in 1974 as a Navy Corpsman and now an RN, this tic tac toe made it as simple as ever, and it is free. Awesome lesson! A+!
    While reading, I thought that the Allen test, which is needed to show blood flow to the hand, would be intact if the radial artery was damaged while drawing arterial blood, thus dependent on the ulnar artery. Seen myriads of ABGs but do not recall an Allen test ever being done. This lesson was EXCELLENT, systematic, step by step.

    Reply
  22. Dee Avatar
    Dee

    Shouldn’t number 1 have been uncompensated respiratory acidosis? Partially compensated is when all 3 variables are abnormal, and the HCO3 was normal in this case.

    Reply
  23. Lee Avatar
    Lee

    The answer for this question should be Respiratory Acidosis, partially compensated. HCO3 is in normal range.

    Reply
    1. Cherry Avatar
      Cherry

      No, because partially compensated is NOTHING IS NORMAL

      Reply
  24. Rachael Avatar
    Rachael

    Wonderful practice questions.

    Reply
  25. James Romelus Avatar
    James Romelus

    Great practice questions. I had 19 right answers and the one I did not get still don’t make sense to me. Because I though the highest is the altitude, the less oxygen is present in the air and it is most likely for the person’s PaCO2 to goes up. But it was the opposite

    Reply
    1. omar khattab Avatar
      omar khattab

      THANK YOW VERY MUCH ,VERY INTERSTING

      Reply
  26. Rose E.Chitseko Avatar
    Rose E.Chitseko

    Helpful

    Reply
  27. Acquah Myles Gerald Avatar
    Acquah Myles Gerald

    Helpful

    Reply
    1. Matt Vera BSN, R.N. Avatar
      Matt Vera BSN, R.N.

      Hi Acquah, Glad to hear it was helpful! If there’s anything else you’re looking to understand better or need more info on, just let me know. Here to help!

      Reply
  28. Mireri Avatar
    Mireri

    The answer should be fully compensated respiratory acidosis since the PCO2 is elevated and is being compensated by the kidney due to increase of HCO3

    Reply
  29. Jeremiah Confidence Avatar
    Jeremiah Confidence

    Please help me with this question I’m quite confused.
    Match the acid-base status of the following blood samples to the disorders in the given choices. (PaCO2 values are in mm Hg and bicarbonate values in mmol/l).
    pH 7.64, PaCO2 25, HCO3- 19

    Reply

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