Respiratory Alkalosis and Respiratory Acidosis NCLEX Quiz | Acid-Base Imbalances Quiz

This NCLEX quiz will test your ability to differentiate between respiratory acidosis vs respiratory alkalosis. You will be required to know the causes, signs and symptoms, and how to interpret blood gas values in this quiz.

As a nursing student, it is crucial you know the basics about acid-base imbalances. Below are common test questions you may encounter on your nursing lecture exam or NCLEX licensing exam.

Also, don’t forget to take our free Arterial Blood Gas (ABGs) Quiz.

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After you are done taking the quiz and click submit, the page will refresh and you will need to scroll down to see what you got right and wrong. In addition, below this quiz is a layout of the quiz with an answer key (if you wanted to print off the quiz..just copy and paste it). Don’t forget to share this quiz with your friends! Please do not re-post on other websites, however.

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Lectures on Respiratory Acidosis & Respiratory Alkalosis

Respiratory Acidosis and Respiratory Alkalosis Quiz NCLEX

1. A patient is post-op from knee surgery. The patient has been receiving Morphine 4 mg IV every 2 hours. You notice the patient is exhibiting a respiratory rate of 8 and is extremely drowsy. Which of the following conditions is the patient at risk for?

A.      Respiratory acidosis

B.      Respiratory alkalosis

C.      Hypokalemia

D.      Metabolic acidosis

2. A patient attempted to commit suicide by ingesting a bottle of Aspirin. Which of the following conditions is this patient at risk for?

A.      Hyperkalemia

B.      Hypercalcemia

C.      Respiratory alkalosis

D.      Respiratory acidosis

3. Respiratory alkalosis can affect other electrolyte levels in the body. Which of the following electrolyte levels can also be affected in this condition?

A.      Calcium and sodium levels

B.      Potassium and sodium levels

C.      Calcium and potassium levels

D.      Potassium and phosphate levels

4. A patient is experiencing respiratory alkalosis. What is the most classic sign and symptom of this condition?

A.      Bradypnea

B.      Tachypnea

C.      Bradycardia

D.      None of the options are correct

5. A patient has the following blood gases: PaCO2 25, pH 7.50, HCO3 19. Which of the following could NOT be the cause of this condition?

A.      Anxiety attack

B.      Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

C.      Fever

D.      Aspirin toxicity

6. A patient on mechanical ventilation has the following blood gases: PaCO2 29, pH 7.56, HCO3 23. Which of the following conditions is the patient experiencing?

A.      Respiratory alkalosis not compensated

B.      Respiratory alkalosis partially compensated

C.      Respiratory alkalosis fully compensated

D.      Respiratory acidosis partially compensated

7. A patient is experiencing respiratory acidosis due to brain trauma. Which of the following lab values correlates with this acid imbalance?

A.      Potassium level of 6.0

B.      Potassium level of 2.5

C.      Potassium level of 5.0

D.      Potassium level of 3.5

8. Which patient is experiencing partially compensated respiratory acidosis?

A.      PaCO2 30, pH 7.35, HCO3 26

B.      PaCO2 53, pH 7.23, HCO3 28

C.      PaCO2 45, pH 7.49, HCO3 21

D.      PaCO2 50, pH 7.30, HCO3 23

9. Which of the following is not a cause of respiratory acidosis?

A.      Pulmonary edema

B.      Asthma

C.      Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

D.      Hyperventilation

10. A patient with COPD has the following blood gases: PCO2 59, pH 7.26, HCO3 42. Which of the following conditions is presenting?

A.      Respiratory alkalosis

B.      Respiratory acidosis

C.      Metabolic alkalosis

D.      Metabolic acidosis

Answer Key

1. A.
2. C.
3. C.
4. B.
5. B.
6. A.
7. A.
8. B.
9. D.
10. B.

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