A child with croup has an increased pCO2, a decreased pH, and a normal HCO3 blood gas value. The nurse interprets this as uncompensated:

Question

1. Respiratory acidosis.
2. Respiratory alkalosis.
3. Metabolic acidosis.
4. Metabolic alkalosis.

Answer 1

1
Rationale:
1. If the pH is decreased and the pCO2 is increased with a normal HCO3, it is uncompensated respiratory acidosis. Also, croup can be a disease process that causes respiratory acidosis.
2. Uncompensated respiratory alkalosis has an increased pH, decreased pCO2, and normal HCO3;
3. Uncompensated metabolic acidosis has a decreased pH, normal pCO2, and normal HCO3.
4. Uncompensated metabolic alkalosis has an increased pH, normal pCO2, and increased HCO3.