Question

A patient has the following arterial blood gases: HCO₃⁻ 38, pH 7.50, PCₒ₂ 50. Normal ranges in plasma: pH7.35−7.45, PCₒ₂ 35−45mmHg, HCO₃⁻ 22−26mEq/L

What type of acid-base imbalance is this? Explain your reasoning.
Which of the following signs may this patient exhibit as a compensatory mechanism - Hyperventilation or Hypoventilation? Explain why.

Answer 1

The patient's lab results demonstrate metabolic alkalosis with respiratory compensation, evidenced by an elevated pH, high bicarbonate, and a slightly increased PCO2, indicating hypoventilation as a compensatory mechanism.

Step-by-step explanation:

The patient with arterial blood gases showing HCO3− at 38 mEq/L, pH at 7.50, and PCO2 at 50 mm Hg has an acid-base imbalance. Given that the normal arterial pH range is 7.35-7.45, this patient's pH indicates a state of alkalosis. The elevated HCO3− suggests a metabolic origin, and the raised PCO2 indicates a compensatory response aimed to correct the high pH by retaining more CO2, which adds acid to the blood. Therefore, this patient is experiencing metabolic alkalosis with respiratory compensation. In metabolic alkalosis, one would expect to see hypoventilation as a compensatory mechanism in an attempt to retain CO2 to lower the pH back to normal.