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.

New worksheetPractise online with hints

For teachers: free to print, copy and use in class. Every new worksheet has new values and its own answer key. A link to ExamProblems on your course page is appreciated.

Name: ____________________   Date: ____________

1.Easy

Practice values: Na⁺ 137, K⁺ 3.5, Cl⁻ 103 and HCO₃⁻ 16 mmol/L. Calculate the anion gap AG = Na⁺ − (Cl⁻ + HCO₃⁻), without potassium.

Na⁺ 137 mmol/LK⁺ 3.5 mmol/LCl⁻ 103 mmol/LHCO₃⁻ 16 mmol/L
AG = mmol/L
2.Easy
pH7.357.457.64PaCO₂mmHg354523HCO₃⁻mmol/L222624respiratorymetabolicacidosisalkalosis

A practice arterial blood gas shows pH 7.64, PaCO₂ 23 mmHg (3.1 kPa) and HCO₃⁻ 24 mmol/L. Which primary disorder is it? Click the cell in the grid.

pH 7.64PaCO₂ 23 mmHg (3.1 kPa)HCO₃⁻ 24 mmol/L
  1. 1respiratory acidosis
  2. 2metabolic acidosis
  3. 3respiratory alkalosis
  4. 4metabolic alkalosis
3.Medium
pH7.357.457.53PaCO₂mmHg354547HCO₃⁻mmol/L222638uncompensatedpartially compensatedfully compensated

A practice arterial blood gas shows pH 7.53, PaCO₂ 47 mmHg (6.3 kPa) and HCO₃⁻ 38 mmol/L. The primary disorder is metabolic alkalosis. How far is it compensated? Click your answer.

pH 7.53PaCO₂ 47 mmHg (6.3 kPa)HCO₃⁻ 38 mmol/L
  1. 1uncompensated
  2. 2partially compensated
  3. 3fully compensated
4.Medium

Practice values: Na⁺ 147 mmol/L, glucose 13.5 mmol/L and urea 24.8 mmol/L. Calculate the serum osmolality Osm = 2·Na⁺ + glucose + urea to the nearest whole number.

Na⁺ 147 mmol/Lglucose 13.5 mmol/Lurea 24.8 mmol/L
Osm = mOsm/kg
5.Hard
pH7.357.457.25PaCO₂mmHg354562HCO₃⁻mmol/L222626acutechronicacute on chronic

A practice gas shows a respiratory acidosis: pH 7.25, PaCO₂ 62 mmHg (8.3 kPa), HCO₃⁻ 26 mmol/L. Use the rules ‘HCO₃⁻ rises 1 mmol/L per 10 mmHg (acute) or 3.5 mmol/L per 10 mmHg (chronic)’ to classify it. Click your answer.

pH 7.25PaCO₂ 62 mmHg (8.3 kPa)HCO₃⁻ 26 mmol/L
  1. 1acute
  2. 2chronic
  3. 3acute on chronic
6.Hard

Practice values: Na⁺ 136, Cl⁻ 88 and HCO₃⁻ 17 mmol/L. Calculate the delta ratio (AG − 12)/(24 − HCO₃⁻), using AG = Na⁺ − (Cl⁻ + HCO₃⁻). Give two decimals.

Na⁺ 136 mmol/LCl⁻ 88 mmol/LHCO₃⁻ 17 mmol/L
delta ratio =

Answer key

  1. 1. AG = 18 mmol/L
  2. 2. respiratory alkalosis
  3. 3. partially compensated
  4. 4. Osm = 332 mOsm/kg
  5. 5. acute
  6. 6. delta ratio = 2.714

Full step-by-step solutions: practise this topic on examproblems.com.