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NCLEX-PN Exam - Topic 4 Question 2 Discussion

What do the following ABG values indicate: pH 7.38, PO2 78 mmHg, PCO2 36mmHg, and HCO3 24 mEq/L?
B) homeostasis
A) metabolic alkalosis
C) respiratory acidosis
D) respiratory alkalosis

NCLEX-PN Exam - Topic 4 Question 2 Discussion

Actual exam question for NCLEX's NCLEX-PN exam
Question #: 2
Topic #: 4
[All NCLEX-PN Questions]

What do the following ABG values indicate: pH 7.38, PO2 78 mmHg, PCO2 36mmHg, and HCO3 24 mEq/L?

Show Suggested Answer Hide Answer
Suggested Answer: B

These ABG values are within normal limits. Choices 1, 3, and 4 are incorrect because the ABG values

indicate none of these acid-base disturbances.Physiological Adaptation


by Blondell at Jun 16, 2025, 07:25 PM

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German
7 months ago
Looks like respiratory acidosis to me!
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Alana
7 months ago
Definitely not homeostasis, pH is too low!
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Candida
7 months ago
I think it's more like homeostasis.
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Maile
7 months ago
Wait, PO2 is really low! Is that normal?
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Marti
8 months ago
Those values suggest a state of acidosis, but not metabolic.
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Leota
8 months ago
I think this might be homeostasis since the HCO3 is normal, but the pH is off. I just can't remember how to differentiate between the options clearly.
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Mona
8 months ago
The PO2 seems low, but the PCO2 is normal. I wonder if that means it's not respiratory acidosis? I feel a bit confused about how to interpret these values together.
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Caitlin
8 months ago
I remember practicing a similar question, and I think a pH of 7.38 could indicate a respiratory issue, but I can't recall the exact values for CO2 and HCO3.
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Aaron
9 months ago
I think the pH is slightly low, which might suggest some kind of acidosis, but I'm not sure if it's metabolic or respiratory.
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Eveline
9 months ago
Hmm, I'm not totally sure about this one. The values seem a bit mixed, with the pH being normal but the PCO2 being low. I'll need to review my notes on interpreting ABG results to figure out the best answer here.
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Gerald
9 months ago
I've got this! The key here is the low PCO2 with a normal HCO3. That points to respiratory alkalosis, where the body is overcompensating by blowing off too much CO2. The pH is just slightly elevated, confirming it's not a metabolic issue.
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Bobbye
9 months ago
Okay, I'm a bit confused here. The pH is normal, but the PCO2 is low. Does that mean it's respiratory alkalosis? Or could it be something else? I'll need to double-check the criteria for each acid-base disorder.
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Lisandra
9 months ago
Hmm, let me think this through. The pH is slightly alkaline, the PO2 is normal, the PCO2 is low, and the HCO3 is normal. I think this indicates respiratory alkalosis.
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Marguerita
12 months ago
Haha, this one's a real brain-twister. I'm going to have to go with a wild guess and say respiratory acidosis, just to be different!
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Mitzie
11 months ago
B) homeostasis
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Carissa
11 months ago
A) metabolic alkalosis
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Tambra
1 year ago
Yes, the pH, PO2, PCO2, and HCO3 values are all within normal range, so it indicates homeostasis.
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Kindra
1 year ago
I'm not sure, this one has me stumped. Maybe it's metabolic alkalosis, but the PCO2 being low doesn't quite fit. Tricky question!
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Donte
1 year ago
I agree, the pH is within normal range and the other values support that.
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Carmen
1 year ago
I think these values indicate homeostasis.
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Lizbeth
1 year ago
Definitely respiratory alkalosis. The numbers all point to the body overcompensating and blowing off too much CO2.
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Lizette
1 year ago
Hmm, I think this indicates respiratory alkalosis. The pH is slightly elevated, PO2 is high, and PCO2 is low, which suggests the body is compensating for a respiratory issue.
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Oretha
12 months ago
Yes, the high PO2 and low PCO2 point towards respiratory alkalosis.
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Princess
1 year ago
I agree, those values do suggest respiratory alkalosis.
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