50 Analytical Multiple Choice Questions on Acid Base Balance with Explanation- Part 2

 

11. Which of the following is the primary cause of respiratory acidosis?

a) Hyperventilation
b) Hypoventilation
c) Diarrhea
d) Vomiting

Answer: b) Hypoventilation

Explanation: Respiratory acidosis occurs when there is an accumulation of CO₂ in the blood due to reduced ventilation (hypoventilation). This leads to an increase in carbonic acid and a subsequent decrease in blood pH.


12. Which of the following conditions is most likely to cause metabolic acidosis?

a) Prolonged fasting
b) Use of diuretics
c) Chronic kidney disease
d) Hyperaldosteronism

Answer: c) Chronic kidney disease

Explanation: Chronic kidney disease impairs the kidneys' ability to excrete hydrogen ions and reabsorb bicarbonate, leading to the accumulation of acids in the blood, which results in metabolic acidosis.


13. How does the body primarily compensate for metabolic alkalosis?

a) Increased renal reabsorption of bicarbonate
b) Increased excretion of carbon dioxide by hyperventilation
c) Decreased renal reabsorption of bicarbonate
d) Increased production of carbonic acid

Answer: c) Decreased renal reabsorption of bicarbonate

Explanation: In metabolic alkalosis, the kidneys compensate by reducing bicarbonate reabsorption, leading to increased excretion of bicarbonate. This helps to lower the pH back toward normal.


14. Which of the following lab findings would you expect in a patient with uncompensated metabolic acidosis?

a) pH 7.48, PCO₂ 40 mmHg, HCO₃⁻ 28 mEq/L
b) pH 7.32, PCO₂ 35 mmHg, HCO₃⁻ 18 mEq/L
c) pH 7.45, PCO₂ 50 mmHg, HCO₃⁻ 30 mEq/L
d) pH 7.50, PCO₂ 32 mmHg, HCO₃⁻ 24 mEq/L

Answer: b) pH 7.32, PCO₂ 35 mmHg, HCO₃⁻ 18 mEq/L

Explanation: In uncompensated metabolic acidosis, the pH is low (7.32), bicarbonate is decreased (18 mEq/L), and PCO₂ is normal or slightly low as the respiratory system has not yet compensated by increasing ventilation.


15. What is the expected arterial blood gas (ABG) pattern in a patient with partially compensated metabolic alkalosis?

a) Normal pH, high PCO₂, high HCO₃⁻
b) Low pH, high PCO₂, low HCO₃⁻
c) High pH, low PCO₂, high HCO₃⁻
d) Normal pH, low PCO₂, low HCO₃⁻

Answer: a) Normal pH, high PCO₂, high HCO₃⁻

Explanation: In partially compensated metabolic alkalosis, the kidneys retain bicarbonate (high HCO₃⁻), and the respiratory system compensates by hypoventilating, leading to an increased PCO₂. The pH remains within normal limits or slightly elevated.


16. Which condition is most likely to result in an increased anion gap metabolic acidosis?

a) Salicylate poisoning
b) Diarrhea
c) Renal tubular acidosis
d) Vomiting

Answer: a) Salicylate poisoning

Explanation: An increased anion gap metabolic acidosis is often caused by the accumulation of organic acids, as seen in salicylate poisoning, diabetic ketoacidosis, or lactic acidosis. These conditions lead to a higher difference between measured cations and anions.


17. In respiratory alkalosis, what compensatory mechanism is primarily responsible for correcting the pH?

a) Increased renal excretion of bicarbonate
b) Increased renal reabsorption of bicarbonate
c) Increased renal excretion of hydrogen ions
d) Increased respiratory rate

Answer: a) Increased renal excretion of bicarbonate

Explanation: In respiratory alkalosis, the kidneys compensate by excreting more bicarbonate to decrease the blood pH. This helps counterbalance the excessive loss of CO₂ due to hyperventilation.


18. What happens to the potassium levels in the blood during acute acidosis?

a) Decrease in potassium due to intracellular shift
b) Increase in potassium due to extracellular shift
c) No significant change in potassium levels
d) Potassium is unaffected by acidosis

Answer: b) Increase in potassium due to extracellular shift

Explanation: In acute acidosis, hydrogen ions enter cells in exchange for potassium ions, leading to hyperkalemia (increased potassium levels) in the blood.


19. Which of the following is a characteristic feature of respiratory acidosis?

a) Decreased bicarbonate levels
b) Increased bicarbonate levels
c) Decreased PCO₂ levels
d) Increased blood pH

Answer: b) Increased bicarbonate levels

Explanation: In chronic respiratory acidosis, the kidneys compensate by increasing bicarbonate reabsorption to buffer the excess hydrogen ions, leading to elevated bicarbonate levels in the blood.


20. Which of the following is the most likely effect of chronic hypercapnia on acid-base balance?

a) Compensated respiratory acidosis with normal pH
b) Metabolic acidosis without respiratory compensation
c) Uncompensated respiratory alkalosis
d) Metabolic alkalosis with respiratory compensation

Answer: a) Compensated respiratory acidosis with normal pH

Explanation: Chronic hypercapnia, often due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), leads to respiratory acidosis. Over time, the kidneys compensate by retaining bicarbonate, which normalizes the pH despite elevated CO₂ levels.

50 Analytical Multiple Choice Questions on Acid Base Balance with Explanation- Part 1

50 Analytical Multiple Choice Questions on Acid Base Balance with Explanation- Part 2 

50 Analytical Multiple Choice Questions on Acid Base Balance with Explanation- Part 3

50 Analytical Multiple Choice Questions on Acid Base Balance with Explanation- Part 4 

50 Analytical Multiple Choice Questions on Acid Base Balance with Explanation- Part 5 

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