Final answer:
A 64-year-old asthma patient with pH 7.31, high pCO2, and high HCO3¯ is experiencing compensated respiratory acidosis. Asthma's effect on gas exchange causes increased CO2 retention, and the body compensates by increasing bicarbonate levels. Proper monitoring of blood gases and pulmonary parameters is essential.
Step-by-step explanation:
Case study analysis reveals that a 64-year-old male admitted to the emergency room for asthma with a pH of 7.31, an elevated pCO2, and high total HCO3¯ levels is experiencing respiratory acidosis with evidence of compensation. Asthma can impair gas exchange leading to an accumulation of CO2 in the body (hypercapnia) which, in response, the body attempts to neutralize by increasing bicarbonate levels. Compensatory mechanisms involve renal adjustment of bicarbonate levels to balance the effects of excess carbonic acid resulting from elevated pCO2 levels. This scenario is indicative of the body's efforts to maintain homeostasis despite the presence of respiratory pathology.
Respiratory alkalosis would be associated with hyperventilation leading to low pCO2 levels, but in the case of this patient, the obstructive pathology of asthma likely caused hypoventilation, increasing pCO2. The vital capacity (VC), inspiratory capacity (IC), inspiratory reserve volume (IRV), and other pulmonary parameters can be used to assess lung function and ventilatory capacity in such patients. Monitoring blood gases in asthma is crucial for managing risk and determining when interventions such as intubation might be necessary.