MENU
What do the following ABG values indicate: pH 7.38, PO2 78 mmHg, PCO2 36mmHg, and HCO3 24 mEq/L?
Suggested Answer: B
Get Premium NCLEX-PN Questions
as Interactive Web-Based Practice Test or PDF
Real Exam Format
Detailed Explanations
Instant Access
Get Your Practice Test
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
24 comments · newest first
GE
German
10 months ago
Looks like respiratory acidosis to me!
AL
Alana
10 months ago
Definitely not homeostasis, pH is too low!
CA
Candida
10 months ago
I think it's more like homeostasis.
MA
Maile
10 months ago
Wait, PO2 is really low! Is that normal?
MA
Marti
11 months ago
Those values suggest a state of acidosis, but not metabolic.
LE
Leota
11 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.
MO
Mona
11 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.
CA
Caitlin
11 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.
AA
Aaron
12 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.
EV
Eveline
12 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.
GE
Gerald
12 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.
BO
Bobbye
1 year 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.
LI
Lisandra
1 year 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.
MA
Marguerita
1 year 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!
MI
Mitzie
1 year ago
B) homeostasis
CA
Carissa
1 year ago
A) metabolic alkalosis
TA
Tambra
1 year ago
Yes, the pH, PO2, PCO2, and HCO3 values are all within normal range, so it indicates homeostasis.
KI
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!
DO
Donte
1 year ago
I agree, the pH is within normal range and the other values support that.
CA
Carmen
1 year ago
I think these values indicate homeostasis.
LI
Lizbeth
1 year ago
Definitely respiratory alkalosis. The numbers all point to the body overcompensating and blowing off too much CO2.
LI
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.
OR
Oretha
1 year ago
Yes, the high PO2 and low PCO2 point towards respiratory alkalosis.
PR
Princess
1 year ago
I agree, those values do suggest respiratory alkalosis.