Question

If ABGs were done on this patient, you would expect all the following EXCEPT:

1) a blood pH of 7.32 because sustained gluconeogenesis causes acidic byproducts to accumulate.
2) a HCO₃ of 20 because the high numbers of acids in her body "take over" and "overcome" the HCO₃, which then diminishes in number.
3) a HCO₃ of 30 because the low numbers of acids in her body stimulate increase in HCO₃.
4) this acid/base imbalance to be called metabolic acidosis because it is an acidotic state caused by a metabolic disorder.

Answer 1

For a patient in metabolic acidosis, we would expect a decreased pH and bicarbonate level, but not an increased bicarbonate level as acidic byproducts accumulate. Statement #3 is incorrect as it suggests an increase in bicarbonate levels in the presence of low acid levels, which contradicts the expected response in metabolic acidosis.

Step-by-step explanation:

If ABGs (arterial blood gases) were done on a patient with a concern for acid-base imbalance, certain results would be expected. The accurate assessment of the patient's condition can be made by examining the pH, pCO2 (partial pressure of carbon dioxide), and HCO3- (bicarbonate) levels in the blood. Typically, metabolic acidosis will present with a decreased blood pH due to an accumulation of acidic byproducts often resulting from processes such as sustained gluconeogenesis. The bicarbonate level would typically be lowered as the kidneys attempt to compensate for the increased acid load.

In the question provided, the expected findings for a patient in metabolic acidosis would include all the statements except for #3) "a HCO₃ of 30 because the low numbers of acids in her body stimulate increase in HCO₃". This is incorrect because in metabolic acidosis, the quantity of bicarbonate would not increase as a response to low acid levels but would decrease due to the high presence of acids.