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Interpret the arterial blood gas results:

pH: 7.48
pCO₂: 32
pO₂: 92
HCO₃: 23
O₂ Sat: 95%
A. Respiratory alkalosis.
B. Metabolic alkalosis.
C. Normal acid-base balance.
D. Metabolic acidosis.

1 Answer

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Final answer:

The blood gas results indicate a state of alkalosis, with a pH of 7.48 and a low pCO2 of 32 mm Hg, suggesting Respiratory Alkalosis due to the primary decrease in pCO2 without significant metabolic compensation, as the HCO3 level is normal.

Step-by-step explanation:

The arterial blood gas results show a pH of 7.48, which is slightly higher than the normal range of 7.35 to 7.45, indicating a state of alkalosis. In conjunction with a low pCO2 of 32 mm Hg (below the normal range for both males and females), this suggests a respiratory alkalosis, as a primary decrease in pCO2 (respiratory acid) leads to an increase in pH.

The bicarbonate (HCO3) level is normal at 23 mM, fitting within the reference range of 22-29 mM for total venous bicarbonate, and implies that there may not be a significant metabolic compensation for the respiratory condition. The normal bicarbonate also implies that there is no primary metabolic alkalosis. Oxygen saturation (O2 Sat) is at 95%, which is within the normal range and suggests sufficient oxygenation of the blood. Given these findings, the classification of the blood gas results would be Respiratory Alkalosis (Answer A).

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