A patient has the following arterial blood gas (ABG) results. In analyzing the data, the nurse recognizes the patient has what health problem?
1. metabolic acidosis
2. metabolic alkalosis
3. respiratory acidosis
4. respiratory alkalosis
Correct Answer: 3
The patient is in respiratory acidosis as the pH is decreased below the normal (7.35–7.45) and the PaCO2 is increased from normal (35–45 mmHg). The other ABG results are within normal limits. The PaO2 is 75–100 mmHg, HCO3 is 24–28 mEq/L, and the base excess (BE) is ± 2 mEq/L.
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