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

 

21. A patient with diabetic ketoacidosis is expected to present with which of the following arterial blood gas (ABG) results?

a) pH 7.50, PCO₂ 32 mmHg, HCO₃⁻ 22 mEq/L
b) pH 7.25, PCO₂ 30 mmHg, HCO₃⁻ 15 mEq/L
c) pH 7.38, PCO₂ 48 mmHg, HCO₃⁻ 28 mEq/L
d) pH 7.45, PCO₂ 45 mmHg, HCO₃⁻ 26 mEq/L

Answer: b) pH 7.25, PCO₂ 30 mmHg, HCO₃⁻ 15 mEq/L

Explanation: Diabetic ketoacidosis leads to metabolic acidosis, characterized by a low pH, low bicarbonate (HCO₃⁻), and compensatory low PCO₂ due to hyperventilation (Kussmaul breathing).


22. Which of the following factors would most likely cause respiratory alkalosis?

a) Anxiety-induced hyperventilation
b) Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
c) Severe asthma attack
d) Hypoventilation due to opioid overdose

Answer: a) Anxiety-induced hyperventilation

Explanation: Anxiety can cause hyperventilation, leading to excessive exhalation of CO₂, which decreases carbonic acid levels and increases blood pH, resulting in respiratory alkalosis.


23. What is the significance of the anion gap in the evaluation of metabolic acidosis?

a) It differentiates between respiratory and metabolic acidosis
b) It helps identify the presence of unmeasured anions in metabolic acidosis
c) It indicates the degree of respiratory compensation
d) It reflects the concentration of bicarbonate in the blood

Answer: b) It helps identify the presence of unmeasured anions in metabolic acidosis

Explanation: The anion gap is calculated using the formula: Anion Gap = [Na⁺] - ([Cl⁻] + [HCO₃⁻]). A high anion gap suggests the presence of unmeasured anions, often due to conditions like lactic acidosis or ketoacidosis.


24. In which of the following conditions would you expect to find a normal anion gap metabolic acidosis?

a) Lactic acidosis
b) Diabetic ketoacidosis
c) Diarrhea
d) Salicylate poisoning

Answer: c) Diarrhea

Explanation: Diarrhea leads to the loss of bicarbonate from the gastrointestinal tract, resulting in a normal anion gap metabolic acidosis. The anion gap remains normal because there is no accumulation of unmeasured anions.


25. What role do the kidneys play in compensating for respiratory acidosis?

a) They excrete more bicarbonate
b) They retain more bicarbonate
c) They secrete more hydrogen ions
d) They reduce ammonia production

Answer: b) They retain more bicarbonate

Explanation: In respiratory acidosis, the kidneys compensate by increasing the reabsorption of bicarbonate, which helps buffer the excess hydrogen ions and normalize blood pH.


26. In which of the following scenarios is metabolic alkalosis most likely to occur?

a) Severe diarrhea
b) Renal failure
c) Prolonged use of loop diuretics
d) Strenuous exercise

Answer: c) Prolonged use of loop diuretics

Explanation: Loop diuretics increase the excretion of chloride and potassium, leading to a relative increase in bicarbonate concentration and resulting in metabolic alkalosis.


27. Which of the following is true regarding the role of hemoglobin in acid-base balance?

a) Hemoglobin binds to bicarbonate to buffer pH changes
b) Hemoglobin releases oxygen and binds to CO₂, forming carbonic acid
c) Hemoglobin acts as a buffer by binding to hydrogen ions
d) Hemoglobin directly converts CO₂ into bicarbonate

Answer: c) Hemoglobin acts as a buffer by binding to hydrogen ions

Explanation: Hemoglobin buffers blood pH by binding to hydrogen ions. When hemoglobin releases oxygen to tissues, it can pick up hydrogen ions, helping to prevent acidosis.


28. Which of the following conditions would most likely lead to a decreased serum bicarbonate concentration?

a) Chronic respiratory alkalosis
b) Prolonged vomiting
c) Renal tubular acidosis
d) Cushing's syndrome

Answer: c) Renal tubular acidosis

Explanation: Renal tubular acidosis involves the kidneys' inability to reabsorb bicarbonate or excrete hydrogen ions, leading to decreased serum bicarbonate levels and resulting in metabolic acidosis.


29. What is the expected compensatory mechanism in response to chronic metabolic acidosis?

a) Hyperventilation
b) Increased renal excretion of bicarbonate
c) Hypoventilation
d) Increased renal reabsorption of bicarbonate

Answer: a) Hyperventilation

Explanation: In metabolic acidosis, the body compensates by increasing the respiratory rate (hyperventilation) to expel more CO₂, reducing hydrogen ion concentration and partially correcting the acidosis.


30. Which of the following statements is correct regarding the effect of hypokalemia on acid-base balance?

a) Hypokalemia directly causes respiratory alkalosis
b) Hypokalemia leads to intracellular acidosis due to hydrogen ion exchange
c) Hypokalemia causes an increased anion gap metabolic acidosis
d) Hypokalemia does not affect acid-base balance

Answer: b) Hypokalemia leads to intracellular acidosis due to hydrogen ion exchange

Explanation: In hypokalemia, potassium moves out of cells, and hydrogen ions move into cells to maintain electrical neutrality, leading to intracellular acidosis. This can result in metabolic alkalosis as the kidneys retain bicarbonate.

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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