A client with a diagnosis of chronic renal failure has pH of 7.35, PaCO2 of 29 mm Hg, and bicarbonate level of 16 mEq/L. The nurse interprets these ABG results as
a. compensated metabolic acidosis.
b. compensated respiratory acidosis.
c. uncompensated metabolic acidosis.
d. uncompensated respiratory acidosis.
A
Renal failure is one etiology of metabolic acidosis. Compensation is present when PaCO2 and bicarbonate values are abnormal (or nearly so) in opposite directions (e.g., one is acidotic and the other alkalotic), and when the pH is in the normal range.
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