Acid Base Worksheet Answers

Acid-Base Practice Worksheet
Complex I
Spring Semester 2015

Interpret the following ABGs and list potential causes of each condition. Make sure you look at compensation, too!

pH 7.29 pCO2 38 HCO3 19

Acid-Base Imbalance: Metabolic acidosis, uncompensated

Potential Causes: renal failure, DKA, diarrhea, shock

Symptoms: headache, hypotension and flushing (from vasodilation), muscle twitches (from hyperkalemia), N/V/D, confusion. Also see Kussmaul resps to compensate

pH 7.45 pCO2 28 HCO3 20

Acid-Base Imbalance: Respiratory alkalosis, fully compensated

Potential Causes: hyperventilation (fear, pain, asthma), mechanical ventilation

Symptoms: LOC changes, N/V, tachycardia, seizures, numbness and tingling, hypokalemia

pH 7.22 pCO2 64 HCO3 19

Acid-Base Imbalance: Combined respiratory and metabolic acidosis

Potential Causes: COPD plus DKA or renal failure, any combination of things that cause each one

Symptoms: combinations of symptoms of both types

pH 7.35 pCO2 39 HCO3 24

Acid-Base Imbalance: nothing! This one is normal

Potential Causes: Living and breathing (LOL)

Symptoms: None

pH 7.29 pCO2 28 HCO3 14

Acid-Base Imbalance: Metabolic acidosis, partially compensated

Potential Causes: see above

Symptoms: see above

pH 7.51 pCO2 29 HCO3 27

Acid-Base Imbalance: Combined alkalosis

Potential Causes: vomiting plus hyperventilation, etc. (combine any causes)

Symptoms: combine any symptoms

pH 7.31 pCO2 59 HCO3 26

Acid-Base Imbalance: Respiratory acidosis, uncompensated

Potential Causes: COPD! Also can be caused by pneumonia, CNS disorder that causes hypoventilation, anything blocking exhalation

Symptoms: hypoventilation, hypoxia, vasodilation (causes flushing and hypotension), LOC changes, muscle weakness, hyperkalemia

pH 7.58 pCO2 76 HCO3 32

Acid-Base Imbalance: Metabolic alkalosis, partially compensated

Potential Causes: vomiting, GI suctioning, diuretic use, excessive antacid intake (NaHCO3)

Symptoms: