Arterial blood gas interpretation worksheet with answers

Free printable Arterial blood gas interpretation worksheet: 6 problems from easy to exam level, with an answer key. Print it or save it as a PDF.

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1.Easy

A practice blood gas shows PaO₂ 92 mmHg (12.3 kPa) while the inspired oxygen is 70%. Calculate the ratio P/F = PaO₂/FiO₂ in mmHg.

PaO₂ 92 mmHg (12.3 kPa)FiO₂ 70%
P/F = mmHg
2.Easy
pH7.357.457.51PaCO₂mmHg354531HCO₃⁻mmol/L222624respiratorymetabolicacidosisalkalosis

A practice arterial blood gas shows pH 7.51, PaCO₂ 31 mmHg (4.1 kPa) and HCO₃⁻ 24 mmol/L. Which primary disorder is it? Click the cell in the grid.

pH 7.51PaCO₂ 31 mmHg (4.1 kPa)HCO₃⁻ 24 mmol/L
  1. 1respiratory acidosis
  2. 2metabolic acidosis
  3. 3respiratory alkalosis
  4. 4metabolic alkalosis
3.Medium

A practice gas shows PaCO₂ 61 mmHg (8.1 kPa). Use the rule that in chronic respiratory acidosis HCO₃⁻ rises by 3.5 mmol/L for every 10 mmHg that PaCO₂ is above 40, starting from HCO₃⁻ 24 mmol/L, to find the expected HCO₃⁻.

PaCO₂ 61 mmHg (8.1 kPa)baseline: 40 mmHg, 24 mmol/L
HCO₃⁻ = mmol/L
4.Medium

A practice gas shows PaCO₂ 54 mmHg (7.2 kPa). Use the rule that in chronic respiratory acidosis HCO₃⁻ rises by 3.5 mmol/L for every 10 mmHg that PaCO₂ is above 40, starting from HCO₃⁻ 24 mmol/L, to find the expected HCO₃⁻.

PaCO₂ 54 mmHg (7.2 kPa)baseline: 40 mmHg, 24 mmol/L
HCO₃⁻ = mmol/L
5.Hard

A practice gas shows a metabolic alkalosis with HCO₃⁻ 34 mmol/L. Use expected PaCO₂ = 0.7·HCO₃⁻ + 21 to find the expected PaCO₂.

HCO₃⁻ 34 mmol/L
PaCO₂ = mmHg
6.Hard

A practice gas shows a metabolic alkalosis with HCO₃⁻ 30 mmol/L. Use expected PaCO₂ = 0.7·HCO₃⁻ + 21 to find the expected PaCO₂.

HCO₃⁻ 30 mmol/L
PaCO₂ = mmHg

Answer key

  1. 1. P/F = 131.4 mmHg
  2. 2. respiratory alkalosis
  3. 3. HCO₃⁻ = 31.35 mmol/L
  4. 4. HCO₃⁻ = 28.9 mmol/L
  5. 5. PaCO₂ = 44.8 mmHg
  6. 6. PaCO₂ = 42 mmHg

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