Final answer:
The case study of Bob indicates he has respiratory acidosis due to his high pCO2 and pH indicating acidemia. His high total HCO3 suggests compensation where the body attempts to regulate the pH by buffering the acid. Asthma contributes to these results by impairing gas exchange and ventilation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The case study presents Bob, a 64-year-old male with asthma who has abnormal laboratory results: a pH of 7.31, a higher than normal pCO2, and a higher than normal total HCO3. Given these results, he is classified as having acidosis, specifically respiratory acidosis. This conclusion is drawn because respiratory function is indicated by pCO2 levels, and a higher than normal pCO2 reflects hypoventilation or impaired gas exchange, as seen in asthma. The high total HCO3 suggests there might be some degree of compensation occurring, as the body attempts to buffer the excess acid. In asthma, the airways become constricted and inflamed, leading to difficulty in expelling carbon dioxide which in turn can result in respiratory acidosis.