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 71 mmHg (9.5 kPa) while the inspired oxygen is 50%. Calculate the ratio P/F = PaO₂/FiO₂ in mmHg.

PaO₂ 71 mmHg (9.5 kPa)FiO₂ 50%
P/F = mmHg
2.Easy
pH7.357.457.10PaCO₂mmHg354543HCO₃⁻mmol/L222613respiratorymetabolicacidosisalkalosis

A practice arterial blood gas shows pH 7.10, PaCO₂ 43 mmHg (5.7 kPa) and HCO₃⁻ 13 mmol/L. Which primary disorder is it? Click the cell in the grid.

pH 7.10PaCO₂ 43 mmHg (5.7 kPa)HCO₃⁻ 13 mmol/L
  1. 1respiratory acidosis
  2. 2metabolic acidosis
  3. 3respiratory alkalosis
  4. 4metabolic alkalosis
3.Medium
pH7.357.457.43PaCO₂mmHg354548HCO₃⁻mmol/L222631uncompensatedpartially compensatedfully compensated

A practice arterial blood gas shows pH 7.43, PaCO₂ 48 mmHg (6.4 kPa) and HCO₃⁻ 31 mmol/L. The primary disorder is metabolic alkalosis. How far is it compensated? Click your answer.

pH 7.43PaCO₂ 48 mmHg (6.4 kPa)HCO₃⁻ 31 mmol/L
  1. 1uncompensated
  2. 2partially compensated
  3. 3fully compensated
4.Medium

Practice values: Na⁺ 139 mmol/L, glucose 20.3 mmol/L and urea 16.9 mmol/L. Calculate the serum osmolality Osm = 2·Na⁺ + glucose + urea to the nearest whole number.

Na⁺ 139 mmol/Lglucose 20.3 mmol/Lurea 16.9 mmol/L
Osm = mOsm/kg
5.Hard

At sea level, a practice gas taken on 28% oxygen shows PaO₂ 70 mmHg (9.3 kPa) and PaCO₂ 52 mmHg (6.9 kPa). Use PAO₂ = FiO₂·(760 − 47) − PaCO₂/0.8 to find the A–a gradient.

FiO₂ 28%PaO₂ 70 mmHg (9.3 kPa)PaCO₂ 52 mmHg (6.9 kPa)
A–a gradient = mmHg
6.Hard

Practice values: Na⁺ 136, Cl⁻ 86 and HCO₃⁻ 15 mmol/L. Calculate the delta ratio (AG − 12)/(24 − HCO₃⁻), using AG = Na⁺ − (Cl⁻ + HCO₃⁻). Give two decimals.

Na⁺ 136 mmol/LCl⁻ 86 mmol/LHCO₃⁻ 15 mmol/L
delta ratio =

Answer key

  1. 1. P/F = 142 mmHg
  2. 2. metabolic acidosis
  3. 3. fully compensated
  4. 4. Osm = 315 mOsm/kg
  5. 5. A–a gradient = 64.64 mmHg
  6. 6. delta ratio = 2.556

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