Assessment
Gas Exchange/ABG's
Disorders
Therapy
Medications & Implications
100

This lung sound is caused by air passing through fluid-filled alveoli and is commonly heard in heart failure. 

Crackles

100

What is the normal HCO3 value?

~22-26

100

What condition has fluid buildup in the lungs?

Pulmonary Edema

100

What does continuous bubbling in the water chamber of the chest tube indicate?

An air leak 

100

This is a short acting beta-agonist and is considered a rescue medication for acute bronchospasm

Albuterol 

200

The retention of what explains why hypoventilation leads to respiratory acidosis?

CO2 retention

200

An ABG with pH 7.31, PaCO₂ 52 mmHg, and HCO₃⁻ 26 mEq/L indicates this acid–base disorder

Uncompensated Respiratory Acidosis

200

A person with this form of TB has no symptoms and is not contagious

Latent TB

200

What finding in a patient would show effective oxygen therapy?

Improved mental status

200

This medication class reduces airway inflammation and should be used daily

Inhaled corticosteroids

300

What are some signs of acute respiratory distress? 

severe SOB, labored breathing, tachycardia, cough, chest pain and cyanosis

300

A patient with severe emphysema has an ABG showing pH 7.36, PaCO₂ 58, HCO₃⁻ 32. This describes what type of compensation?

Fully compensated respiratory acidosis

300

A "blue bloater" is associated with: 

Chronic Bronchitis

300

A ventilated patient suddenly becomes hypotensive with unilateral absent breath sounds. This life-threatening complication is suspected.

Pneumothorax (tension)

300

This medication reverses opioid-induced respiratory depression by competitively binding opioid receptors

Naloxone (Narcan)

400

This abnormal breathing pattern is characterized by alternating periods of apnea and deep, rapid respirations

Cheyne-Strokes

400

An ABG shows pH 7.48, PaCO₂ 30 mmHg, HCO₃⁻ 23 mEq/L. This acid–base imbalance is most likely caused by this condition.

Respiratory alkalosis from hyperventilation

400

A patient with asthma suddenly has diminished wheezing, increasing dyspnea, and falling SpO₂. This finding is most concerning for this complication.

Respiratory Failure

400

Which oxygen device requires humidification?

Nasal cannula

400

This adverse effect is most important to monitor in a patient receiving high-dose systemic corticosteroids

Hyperglycemia

500

A patient with severe emphysema presents with prolonged expiration and pursed-lip breathing. This technique improves gas exchange by doing what?

Increasing CO2 elimination

500

This ABG change would be expected in a child experiencing acute airway obstruction.

Elevated PaCO2

500

A patient with pneumonia suddenly becomes confused, hypotensive, and tachycardic. Which complication should be suspected?

Sepsis

500

What does a D-dimer test for?

Pulmonary Embolism

500

A nurse should closely monitor for this electrolyte imbalance in a patient receiving frequent albuterol treatments

Hypokalemia

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