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

A practice blood gas shows PaO₂ 57 mmHg (7.6 kPa) while the inspired oxygen is 70%. Calculate the ratio P/F = PaO₂/FiO₂ in mmHg.

PaO₂ 57 mmHg (7.6 kPa)FiO₂ 70%
P/F = mmHg
2.Easy
pH7.357.457.11PaCO₂mmHg354578HCO₃⁻mmol/L222624respiratorymetabolicacidosisalkalosis

A practice arterial blood gas shows pH 7.11, PaCO₂ 78 mmHg (10.4 kPa) and HCO₃⁻ 24 mmol/L. Which primary disorder is it? Click the cell in the grid.

pH 7.11PaCO₂ 78 mmHg (10.4 kPa)HCO₃⁻ 24 mmol/L
  1. 1respiratory acidosis
  2. 2metabolic acidosis
  3. 3respiratory alkalosis
  4. 4metabolic alkalosis
3.Medium
pH7.357.457.43PaCO₂mmHg354531HCO₃⁻mmol/L222620uncompensatedpartially compensatedfully compensated

A practice arterial blood gas shows pH 7.43, PaCO₂ 31 mmHg (4.1 kPa) and HCO₃⁻ 20 mmol/L. The primary disorder is respiratory alkalosis. How far is it compensated? Click your answer.

pH 7.43PaCO₂ 31 mmHg (4.1 kPa)HCO₃⁻ 20 mmol/L
  1. 1uncompensated
  2. 2partially compensated
  3. 3fully compensated
4.Medium

Practice values: Na⁺ 150 mmol/L, glucose 13.1 mmol/L and urea 2.5 mmol/L. Calculate the serum osmolality Osm = 2·Na⁺ + glucose + urea to the nearest whole number.

Na⁺ 150 mmol/Lglucose 13.1 mmol/Lurea 2.5 mmol/L
Osm = mOsm/kg
5.Hard
pH7.357.457.31PaCO₂mmHg354527HCO₃⁻mmol/L222613added normal-gap acidosispure high-gap acidosisadded metabolic alkalosis

A practice gas shows pH 7.31, PaCO₂ 27 mmHg (3.6 kPa) and HCO₃⁻ 13 mmol/L, with Na⁺ 145 and Cl⁻ 102 mmol/L. Use the anion gap and the delta ratio to click the best interpretation.

pH 7.31PaCO₂ 27 mmHg (3.6 kPa)HCO₃⁻ 13 mmol/LNa⁺ 145 mmol/LCl⁻ 102 mmol/L
  1. 1added normal-gap acidosis
  2. 2pure high-gap acidosis
  3. 3added metabolic alkalosis
6.Hard

A practice gas shows a metabolic alkalosis with HCO₃⁻ 35 mmol/L. Use expected PaCO₂ = 0.7·HCO₃⁻ + 21 to find the expected PaCO₂.

HCO₃⁻ 35 mmol/L
PaCO₂ = mmHg

Answer key

  1. 1. P/F = 81.43 mmHg
  2. 2. respiratory acidosis
  3. 3. fully compensated
  4. 4. Osm = 316 mOsm/kg
  5. 5. pure high-gap acidosis
  6. 6. PaCO₂ = 45.5 mmHg

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