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
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
2.Easy

A practice blood gas shows PaO₂ 90 mmHg (12.0 kPa) while the inspired oxygen is 80%. Calculate the ratio P/F = PaO₂/FiO₂ in mmHg.

PaO₂ 90 mmHg (12.0 kPa)FiO₂ 80%
P/F = mmHg
3.Medium

Practice values: Na⁺ 135 mmol/L, glucose 18.4 mmol/L and urea 8.1 mmol/L. Calculate the serum osmolality Osm = 2·Na⁺ + glucose + urea to the nearest whole number.

Na⁺ 135 mmol/Lglucose 18.4 mmol/Lurea 8.1 mmol/L
Osm = mOsm/kg
4.Medium
pH7.357.457.44PaCO₂mmHg354523HCO₃⁻mmol/L222615uncompensatedpartially compensatedfully compensated

A practice arterial blood gas shows pH 7.44, PaCO₂ 23 mmHg (3.1 kPa) and HCO₃⁻ 15 mmol/L. The primary disorder is respiratory alkalosis. How far is it compensated? Click your answer.

pH 7.44PaCO₂ 23 mmHg (3.1 kPa)HCO₃⁻ 15 mmol/L
  1. 1uncompensated
  2. 2partially compensated
  3. 3fully compensated
5.Hard
pH7.357.457.23PaCO₂mmHg354537HCO₃⁻mmol/L222615appropriate compensationadded respiratory acidosisadded respiratory alkalosis

A practice gas shows a metabolic acidosis: pH 7.23, PaCO₂ 37 mmHg (4.9 kPa), HCO₃⁻ 15 mmol/L. Compare the measured PaCO₂ with Winter’s formula. Click your interpretation.

pH 7.23PaCO₂ 37 mmHg (4.9 kPa)HCO₃⁻ 15 mmol/L
  1. 1appropriate compensation
  2. 2added respiratory acidosis
  3. 3added respiratory alkalosis
6.Hard
pH7.357.457.23PaCO₂mmHg354584HCO₃⁻mmol/L222634acutechronicacute on chronic

A practice gas shows a respiratory acidosis: pH 7.23, PaCO₂ 84 mmHg (11.2 kPa), HCO₃⁻ 34 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 7.23PaCO₂ 84 mmHg (11.2 kPa)HCO₃⁻ 34 mmol/L
  1. 1acute
  2. 2chronic
  3. 3acute on chronic

Answer key

  1. 1. respiratory alkalosis
  2. 2. P/F = 112.5 mmHg
  3. 3. Osm = 297 mOsm/kg
  4. 4. fully compensated
  5. 5. added respiratory acidosis
  6. 6. acute on chronic

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