INI-CET EXAM -2026
Medical & Surgical Nursing
Medium
Match the following:
1. Metabolic acidosis a. Hyperventilation
2. Metabolic alkalosis b. Bronchopneumonia
3. Respiratory acidosis c. Pyloric stenosis
4. Respiratory alkalosis d. Glycol poisoning
Appeared in: INI-CET EXAM -2026
Explanation
- Metabolic acidosis (1) is correctly matched with glycol poisoning (d) because the metabolism of ethylene glycol produces toxic acids, leading to a high anion gap metabolic acidosis.
- Metabolic alkalosis (2) is correctly matched with pyloric stenosis (c) because the condition causes severe vomiting and loss of stomach acid (H+ ions), leading to an excess of bicarbonate.
- Respiratory acidosis (3) is correctly matched with bronchopneumonia (b) because impaired gas exchange from the lung infection causes carbon dioxide (an acid) to be retained in the blood.
- Respiratory alkalosis (4) is correctly matched with hyperventilation (a) because rapid breathing blows off too much carbon dioxide, reducing the level of carbonic acid in the blood and raising the pH.
Why Other Options Were Wrong
- Option A: This option incorrectly matches metabolic acidosis with pyloric stenosis (c) and metabolic alkalosis with glycol poisoning (d). Pyloric stenosis causes alkalosis, not acidosis, due to acid loss from vomiting. Glycol poisoning causes acidosis, not alkalosis, due to the production of acidic metabolites.
- Option B: This option incorrectly matches respiratory acidosis with hyperventilation (a) and respiratory alkalosis with bronchopneumonia (b). Hyperventilation causes alkalosis by blowing off CO2, while bronchopneumonia causes acidosis by retaining CO2.
- Option C: This option incorrectly matches metabolic acidosis with hyperventilation (a), metabolic alkalosis with pyloric stenosis (c), respiratory acidosis with bronchopneumonia (b), and respiratory alkalosis with glycol poisoning (d). While 2-c and 3-b are correct, the other two pairs are wrong. Hyperventilation causes respiratory alkalosis, and glycol poisoning causes metabolic acidosis.
Related Visual
Clinical Relevance
- Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Pathophysiology of Acid-Base Imbalances as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
- Understanding the underlying cause of an acid-base imbalance is critical for treatment. For example, respiratory acidosis from pneumonia requires treating the infection and improving ventilation, whereas metabolic acidosis from poisoning requires specific antidotes and supportive care.
- Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) analysis is the primary diagnostic tool. Nurses must be able to interpret pH, PaCO2, and HCO3− values to identify the specific imbalance and monitor the effectiveness of treatment.
- What if? If the patient with bronchopneumonia was on a mechanical ventilator with settings that were too high, they could develop respiratory alkalosis instead of acidosis due to hyperventilation induced by the machine.
How to Approach the Question
- First, identify the question type, which is a 'Match the Following' question requiring knowledge of pathophysiology.
- Analyze the two lists: one with acid-base disorders and the other with clinical causes.
- Categorize the disorders: Metabolic (involving HCO3−) vs. Respiratory (involving CO2/H2CO3).
- Categorize the causes: Which ones affect breathing (respiratory) and which ones affect metabolism or cause loss/gain of acids/bases (metabolic)?
- Systematically link each disorder to its most logical cause. For example, 'respiratory' disorders must link to causes affecting the lungs or breathing rate (bronchopneumonia, hyperventilation). 'Metabolic' disorders must link to causes affecting metabolic processes or substance loss (poisoning, vomiting).
- Evaluate the given options to find the one that correctly aligns all four pairs based on your physiological reasoning.
Concept Tested & Keywords
- Concept Tested: Pathophysiology of Acid-Base Imbalances
- Stem keywords: Metabolic acidosis, Metabolic alkalosis, Respiratory acidosis, Respiratory alkalosis, Glycol poisoning, Pyloric stenosis, Bronchopneumonia, Hyperventilation
- Lead-in keywords: Match the following
Question ID
QDW911mX-sau_XyHkA7uGS
Reference Book
E6 Textbook of Biochemistry for medical StudentsDM Vasudevan Part 2 — Subpart A (pp 1-239 of 478) p. 82-84
E6 Biochemistry U Satyanarayana— Part 2 (pp 421-820 of 840) p. 99-101
E6 Nursing Fundamentals Potter Perry 12e Part 5 p. 55-57
Practise the full INI-CET EXAM -2026
Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.
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