Question

The nurse interprets which arterial blood gas values as partially compensated metabolic acidosis?

a) pH 7.35, HCO3 - 22, PCO2 30 mm Hg.
b) pH 7.40, HCO3 - 24, PCO2 45 mm Hg.
c) pH 7.30, HCO3 - 18, PCO2 35 mm Hg.
d) pH 7.48, HCO3 - 28, PCO2 40 mm Hg.

Answer 1

Arterial blood gas values of pH 7.30, HCO3- 18, PCO2 35 mm Hg suggest partially compensated metabolic acidosis due to low pH and bicarbonate levels with respiratory compensation.

Step-by-step explanation:

The arterial blood gas values that suggest partially compensated metabolic acidosis are option (c) pH 7.30, HCO3- 18, PCO2 35 mm Hg. In this scenario, the pH value is lower than the normal range (7.35-7.45), indicating acidosis. The HCO3- (bicarbonate) level is also lower than the normal range (22-29 mM), suggesting a metabolic cause. The partially compensated aspect is indicated by the PCO2, which is at the low end of the normal range (35 mm Hg for males and 32 mm Hg for females), showing that the respiratory system is attempting to compensate by blowing off CO2 to raise the pH toward normal.