ABG Academy + Drug Math
Start with simple acid–base patterns, work up to mixed disorders, or switch to medication calculations. All questions are randomized and explained after grading. Now with untimed exams, topic mastery tracking, and a nursing-themed arcade reward.
Immune Defense
Your nurse shield bounces an antibody to clear bacteria, viruses, and spores. Earn 1 coin for each fully correct ABG or drug-math answer; redeem 3 coins for 1 play. No purchases or real money.
Beginner — four basic disorders
No mixed cases · compensation made simple · no PaO₂Choose your interpretation
In beginner mode, use the simplified NCLEX classroom convention; real compensation is more precise than these three labels.
Quick-reference guide
↑ PaCO₂ → ↓ pH
Think hypoventilation/CO₂ retention.
↓ PaCO₂ → ↑ pH
Think hyperventilation/CO₂ loss.
↓ HCO₃⁻ → ↓ pH
Think loss of base / gain of acid.
↑ HCO₃⁻ → ↑ pH
Think excess base / acid loss.
Compensation explained
Uncompensated (classroom shorthand): secondary value has not visibly moved to oppose the primary pH change. Partial: secondary value changes appropriately but pH remains outside 7.35–7.45. Compensated: pH is within its reference range despite a primary disorder. In real patients, expected compensation must be calculated; an apparently normal pH can hide two primary disorders.
Expected compensation (Intermediate / Advanced)
Metabolic acidosis: Winter’s predicted PaCO₂ ≈ 1.5 × HCO₃⁻ + 8 (±2). Metabolic alkalosis: expected PaCO₂ ≈ 40 + 0.7 × (HCO₃⁻ − 24) (rough estimate). Acute respiratory acidosis: HCO₃⁻ rises ~1 mEq/L for each 10 mmHg CO₂ rise; chronic ~3–4. Acute respiratory alkalosis: HCO₃⁻ falls ~2 per 10 mmHg CO₂ drop; chronic ~4–5. A response outside expectations suggests mixed disease.
Why PaO₂ is Advanced-only
PaO₂ measures oxygenation, not whether the primary acid–base problem is respiratory or metabolic. A low PaO₂ can coexist with any of these patterns. PaO₂ interpretation depends on age, FiO₂, altitude, and clinical context; the examples assume room air and a sea-level setting.
Drug Math — calculator + practice
Select the type of nursing calculation, enter labeled values, and see the working. The practice section creates new math problems without asking you to use real patient data.
Calculator
Units shown at every stepRandom drug math practice
A new question uses the calculation selected above. Practice values are fictional arithmetic examples, not prescribing recommendations.
Drug Math — learn the shortcut or start from scratch
Pick a topic to see the fastest reliable method and the dimensional-analysis explanation. Use the method that clicks for you.
Insulin preparation and draw-order practice
Do not assume two insulins are compatible just because one is clear and one is cloudy. The exercise below uses regular and NPH ONLY where mixing is specifically permitted; verify the exact products and local protocol.
Clear before cloudy: quick memory aid
Shortcut
"RN" = Regular before NPH when ordered and verified as compatible. Draw clear regular insulin first, then cloudy NPH. Do not mix glargine, detemir, or degludec with other insulin products.
From scratch — why?
NPH is a protamine-containing suspension. Avoid carrying any NPH into the clear regular vial, which could change its characteristics. Gently roll the cloudy vial. Prepare according to the prescribed, verified combination.
- Verify both insulin products and that mixing is authorized.
- Gently roll NPH, clean both vial stoppers.
- Inject air into the NPH vial first; do not withdraw insulin yet.
- Inject air into the regular vial.
- Draw up regular (clear) first; then NPH (cloudy).
- Verify the total ordered units and follow the institution's administration/check policy.
Insulin "units" are not mg. Use the insulin-device/concentration-specific unit markings, not mL arithmetic, for actual administration.
Which vial is drawn up first when mixing verified-compatible regular and NPH insulin?
Sources: NCBI Nursing Skills: insulin mixing · MedlinePlus: insulin injection. These are learning references, not a substitute for manufacturer labeling.
Common measurements & conversion shortcuts
Open these references near the bottom of Drug Math when solving dosage calculations. Household values are rounded teaching equivalents, not calibrated medication-measuring devices.
Show measurement dropdown, converter, and quick references
Rounded NCLEX conventions (NIST): 1 tsp = 5 mL, 1 Tbsp = 15 mL, 1 US fl oz ≈ 30 mL, 1 US cup ≈ 240 mL. Weight ounces (mass) are not fluid ounces (volume). Use mL-only oral dosing devices for real medication administration.
Source: NIST measurement equivalents.
Untimed ABG & Drug Math exams
Take an ABG exam at your current level, a Drug Math test, or a combined challenge. No duplicates within each ABG category in a test, and the Drug Math test covers all nine calculation/preparation categories.
Study Passport: save progress, view recurring mistakes, and redeem rewards →
Answer category progress
Tracks the diagnosis and compensation answer for ABGs, not individual pH or PaCO₂ numbers. Correct means the whole question was answered correctly. This tab stores progress temporarily; export a Study Passport recovery code to continue on another device.
ABG interpretation
| Answer category | Seen | Correct | Incorrect |
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Drug Math & insulin
| Calculation / skill | Seen | Correct | Incorrect |
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Click any category name to practice that topic again. Exam and individual-practice attempts both count. Reloads within this tab keep the counts; closing the session clears them.
Reference material: Merck Manual: primary changes and compensation; American Thoracic Society: ABG interpretation. Not endorsed by these organizations. †Typical adult PaO₂ at sea level on room air; contextual interpretation required.