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
pH7.357.457.54PaCO₂mmHg354522HCO₃⁻mmol/L222618respiratorymetabolicacidosisalkalosis

A practice arterial blood gas shows pH 7.54, PaCO₂ 22 mmHg (2.9 kPa) and HCO₃⁻ 18 mmol/L. Which primary disorder is it? Click the cell in the grid.

pH 7.54PaCO₂ 22 mmHg (2.9 kPa)HCO₃⁻ 18 mmol/L
  1. 1respiratory acidosis
  2. 2metabolic acidosis
  3. 3respiratory alkalosis
  4. 4metabolic alkalosis
2.Easy

Practice values: Na⁺ 142, K⁺ 3.9, Cl⁻ 95 and HCO₃⁻ 18 mmol/L. Calculate the anion gap AG = Na⁺ − (Cl⁻ + HCO₃⁻), without potassium.

Na⁺ 142 mmol/LK⁺ 3.9 mmol/LCl⁻ 95 mmol/LHCO₃⁻ 18 mmol/L
AG = mmol/L
3.Medium

Practice values: Na⁺ 134 mmol/L, glucose 32.7 mmol/L and urea 13.6 mmol/L. Calculate the serum osmolality Osm = 2·Na⁺ + glucose + urea to the nearest whole number.

Na⁺ 134 mmol/Lglucose 32.7 mmol/Lurea 13.6 mmol/L
Osm = mOsm/kg
4.Medium

Practice values: Na⁺ 131 mmol/L, glucose 15.7 mmol/L and urea 20.2 mmol/L. Calculate the serum osmolality Osm = 2·Na⁺ + glucose + urea to the nearest whole number.

Na⁺ 131 mmol/Lglucose 15.7 mmol/Lurea 20.2 mmol/L
Osm = mOsm/kg
5.Hard

At sea level, a practice gas taken on 24% oxygen shows PaO₂ 64 mmHg (8.5 kPa) and PaCO₂ 44 mmHg (5.9 kPa). Use PAO₂ = FiO₂·(760 − 47) − PaCO₂/0.8 to find the A–a gradient.

FiO₂ 24%PaO₂ 64 mmHg (8.5 kPa)PaCO₂ 44 mmHg (5.9 kPa)
A–a gradient = mmHg
6.Hard

At sea level, a practice gas taken on 35% oxygen shows PaO₂ 71 mmHg (9.5 kPa) and PaCO₂ 32 mmHg (4.3 kPa). Use PAO₂ = FiO₂·(760 − 47) − PaCO₂/0.8 to find the A–a gradient.

FiO₂ 35%PaO₂ 71 mmHg (9.5 kPa)PaCO₂ 32 mmHg (4.3 kPa)
A–a gradient = mmHg

Answer key

  1. 1. respiratory alkalosis
  2. 2. AG = 29 mmol/L
  3. 3. Osm = 314 mOsm/kg
  4. 4. Osm = 298 mOsm/kg
  5. 5. A–a gradient = 52.12 mmHg
  6. 6. A–a gradient = 138.5 mmHg

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