What is the correct interpretation of the following arterial blood gas values: pH = 7.36; PaCO2 = 65 mm Hg; and HCO3– = 35 mEq/L?
a. Chronic respiratory acidosis c. Acute respiratory acidosis
b. Chronic metabolic alkalosis d. Acute metabolic acidosis
ANS: A
A pH of 7.36 is indicative of an acidosis; a PaCO2 of 65 mm Hg indicates a respiratory acidosis; a HCO3– of 35 mEq/L represents a metabolic alkalosis. Because the pH is greater than 7.35, it is compensated. Therefore, this arterial blood gas value is a compensated respiratory acidosis. This level of blood gas is consistent with chronic ventilatory failure or chronic respiratory acidosis.
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