Step 1 - Respiratory System Questions

Physiology > Respiratory > USMLE/COMLEX 1 - Prep Questions

Q. A 32-year-old man is admitted to the emergency department with multiple fractures suffered in an MVA. Arterial blood gases are ordered while the patient is breathing room air in the ED. A first-year resident obtains an arterial blood sample, but the plunger slides back and draws an air bubble into the syringe before it is analyzed. How does exposure to room air affect the measured values of PO2 and PCO2 in arterial blood?

The measured values of both PaO2 and PaCO2 will be higher than the patient's actual values.
The measured values of both PaO2 and PaCO2 will be lower than the patient's actual values.
The measured PaO2 will be higher and the measured PaCO2 will be lower than the patient's actual blood gas values.
The measured PaO2 will be lower and the measured PaCO2 will be higher than the patient's actual blood gas values.
The measured values of PaO2 and PaCO2 will accurately reflect the actual values.
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