Question

The nurse reviews a client's arterial blood gas results and notes that the pH is 7.30 (7.30), the PaCO₂ is 52 mm Hg (50 mm Hg), and the HCO₃ is 22 mEq/L (22 mmol/L). The nurse interprets these results as indicating which condition?

Answer 1

The client's arterial blood gas results indicate acidosis, specifically respiratory acidosis. Compensatory mechanisms have not fully occurred yet.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse reviews a client's arterial blood gas results and notes that the pH is 7.30 (7.30), the PaCO₂ is 52 mm Hg (50 mm Hg), and the HCO₃ is 22 mEq/L (22 mmol/L). Based on the reference values, a pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis. In this case, the client's pH is lower than the normal range, indicating acidosis. The PaCO₂ of 52 mm Hg is higher than the normal range for males (35-48 mm Hg) and females (32-45 mm Hg), suggesting respiratory acidosis. The HCO₃ of 22 mEq/L is within the normal range, indicating that compensatory mechanisms have not fully occurred yet.