Question

The nurse reviews the arterial blood gas results of an assigned client and notes that the laboratory report indicates a pH of 7.30, PaCO₂of 58 mm Hg, PaO₂ of 80 mm Hg, and HCO₃ of 27 mEq/L (27 mmol/L). The nurse interprets that the client has which acid-base disturbance?

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

Answer 1

The client shows signs of respiratory acidosis due to elevated PaCO₂ levels, and the high end normal HCO₃ indicates partial compensation. Asthma contributes to these findings by impairing CO₂ expulsion during respiration.

Step-by-step explanation:

The laboratory results of an arterial blood gas showing a pH of 7.30, PaCO₂ of 58 mm Hg, PaO₂ of 80 mm Hg, and HCO₃ of 27 mEq/L indicate that the client has respiratory acidosis. The pH value is below the normal range (7.35-7.45), suggesting acidosis. The elevated PaCO₂ indicates an excess of carbon dioxide in the blood, often due to inadequate respiration, which is characteristic of respiratory acidosis. The HCO₃ level is on the higher end of the normal range, signifying a compensatory mechanism in which the kidneys retain bicarbonate to partially offset the acidity.

Asthma can lead to this condition because it can impair the lungs' ability to expel CO₂, causing it to build up and result in an acidic environment within the body. This explains the mechanism by which asthma contributes to the lab results seen. The body tries to compensate by the kidneys retaining more bicarbonate, but despite this compensation, the pH remains below normal, confirming the presence of ongoing acidosis.