NCLEX CRUSADE ACADEMY TEST - 9 ABG TIC TAC TOE STRATEGY

1. The Tic-Tac-Toe ABG method primarily helps nurses interpret: Blood glucose levels. Electrolyte panels. Arterial blood gases. Liver function tests.

2. The three primary values plotted in the ABG Tic-Tac-Toe grid are: pH, CO2, HCO3. Sodium, potassium, calcium. Hemoglobin, hematocrit, RBC. BUN, creatinine, glucose.

3. The normal pH range used in ABG interpretation is: 6.8 - 7.2. 7.0 - 7.2. 7.35 - 7.45. 7.5 - 7.8.

4. A pH below 7.35 indicates: Alkalosis. Acidosis. Normal condition. Compensation.

5. In the Tic-Tac-Toe method, CO2 values above 45 mmHg represent: Base. Acid. Neutral. Compensation.

6. CO2 values below 35 mmHg indicate: Acid. Base. Neutral. Oxygen deficit.

7. Normal bicarbonate (HCO3) values are: 15 - 20 mEq/L. 18 - 22 mEq/L. 22 - 26 mEq/L. 28 - 32 mEq/L.

8. In the grid system, the primary diagnosis is determined by: Horizontal alignment. Vertical alignment. Diagonal alignment. Random values.

9. If pH and HCO3 both fall in the acid column, the diagnosis is: Respiratory acidosis. Metabolic acidosis. Respiratory alkalosis. Metabolic alkalosis.

10. In an uncompensated disorder, which pattern is seen?. All values abnormal. Two abnormal and one normal. One value normal. All values normal.

11. In partial compensation: All values normal. No values are normal. Only pH abnormal. CO2 normal.

12. Full compensation occurs when: pH returns to normal range. CO2 returns to normal. HCO3 returns to normal. All values abnormal.

13. In fully compensated disorders, the diagnosis depends on: Which value is highest. Which value matches oxygen. Which direction the pH leans. Which value is lowest.

14. A pH of 7.42 in compensated disorders is considered: Acidic. Neutral but leaning base. Neutral but leaning acid. Completely normal.

15. A pH leaning toward acid means: The disorder is alkalosis. The disorder is acidosis. Compensation failed. Oxygen deficit.

16. The Tic-Tac-Toe method converts complex ABG interpretation into: Mathematical equations. A visual pattern recognition system. A pharmacology chart. An oxygen scale.

17. A patient with pH 7.25, CO2 35, and HCO3 18 most likely has: Respiratory acidosis. Respiratory alkalosis. Metabolic acidosis. Metabolic alkalosis.

18. A patient with pH 7.60, CO2 30, and HCO3 18 most likely has: Respiratory alkalosis with metabolic compensation. Respiratory acidosis. Metabolic acidosis. Mixed disorder.

19. The Tic-Tac-Toe grid helps clinicians identify: Electrolyte shifts. Primary acid-base disorder. Hemoglobin levels. Blood glucose.

20. The key concept behind the grid system is: Random guessing. Plotting values and observing patterns. Memorizing formulas. Ignoring compensation.

21. Which value determines acidosis vs alkalosis?. CO2. HCO3. pH. Oxygen.

22. When the body compensates for respiratory disorders, which organ adjusts bicarbonate?. Lungs. Kidneys. Liver. Heart.

23. When metabolic disorders occur, which organ primarily compensates?. Lungs. Brain. Liver. Heart.

24. ABG interpretation should focus primarily on: Memorizing numbers. Logical interpretation of patterns. Guessing answers. Ignoring clinical context.

25. The final rule emphasized by the strategy guide is: Memorize equations. Trust the grid. Ignore CO2. Focus only on oxygen.