Acid-Base Balance Disorders · NCLEX Exam

The nurse is teaching a patient about the “ROME” mnemonic for ABG interpretation. Which statement describes it correctly?

  1. Respiratory Opposite, Metabolic Equal: PaCO₂ moves opposite pH and HCO₃ moves with pH
  2. Respiratory Opposite, Metabolic Equal: both PaCO₂ and HCO₃ move opposite to the pH
  3. Respiratory Opposite, Metabolic Equal: both PaCO₂ and HCO₃ move in the same direction as pH
  4. Respiratory Opposite, Metabolic Equal: only HCO₃ ever changes in respiratory disorders
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Correct answer: Respiratory Opposite, Metabolic Equal: PaCO₂ moves opposite pH and HCO₃ moves with pH

The “ROME” method instructs that in respiratory disorders PaCO₂ moves opposite the pH, while in metabolic disorders HCO₃⁻ moves in the same direction as the pH.

Difficulty: Medium Question 6 of 25

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