The nurse is providing care to a client on a medical-surgical unit. The client's arterial blood gas analysis is as follows: PaO2 of 82, PaCO2 of 49, HCO3 of 26, and pH of 7.55
Which acid-base imbalance is this client experiencing based on this data?
A) Respiratory acidosis
B) Respiratory alkalosis
C) Metabolic alkalosis
D) Metabolic acidosis
Answer: A
An arterial blood gas analysis is often prescribed for client's experiencing alterations in oxygenation. Both the pH and the carbon dioxide levels represent acidosis. Furthermore, the carbon dioxide levels are regulated by the lungs. Therefore, a blood gas that has a pH greater than 7.45 indicates acidosis. If the same blood gas has a carbon dioxide greater than 45 mmHg, respiratory acidosis is present. The PaO2 of 82 is on the low end of normal and the bicarbonate level is normal.
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