Question

A client comes to the emergency department with status asthmaticus. The client's respiratory rate is 48 breaths/minute, and the client is wheezing. An arterial blood gas analysis reveals a pH of 7.52, a partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide (PaCO₂) of 30 mm Hg, PaO₂ of 70 mm Hg, and bicarbonate (HCO₃⁻) of 26 mEq/L. What disorder is indicated by these findings?

a. Metabolic acidosis
b. Respiratory acidosis
c. Metabolic alkalosis
d. Respiratory alkalosis

Answer 1

Answer: The answer is D: Respiratory Alkalosis.

Step-by-step explanation:

Respiratory Alkalosis is as a result of alveolar hyperventilation which occurs when there is an increase in the blood pH above 7.45 and a decrease in the partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide (PaCO₂) to less than 35 mm Hg. This client has a pH of 7.52 and PaCO₂ of 30mm Hg.

In Respiratory acidosis pH is less than 7.35 and PaCO₂ is greater than 45mmHg.

In metabolic acidosis there is a decrease in HCO₃⁻ to less than 22mEq/L and a decrease in blood ph to less than 7.35.

In metabolic alkalosis, the HCO₃⁻ is greater than 26 mEq/L and the ph is greater than 7.45