Based on the following ABG results, what is the most likely acid-base diagnosis? pH = 7.43, PCO2 = 20 mm Hg, HCO3– = 12.6 mEq/L
a. Acute (uncompensated) respiratory alkalo-sis
b. Fully compensated metabolic acidosis
c. Fully compensated respiratory alkalosis
d. Partially compensated respiratory alkalosis
ANS: C
The patient's pH is normal so either the gas is normal or fully compensated. As the PCO2 and HCO3– are both low, a fully compensated state exists. As the pH is on the high side of normal the fully compensated disorder would be alkalosis. This would be caused by a low PCO2 or a high HCO3–. In this case a low PCO2. The low HCO3– is compensating for this respiratory alkalosis.
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