Final answer:
The client with acid-base imbalance and respiratory distress is considered unstable due to critical conditions. Lab results suggest respiratory acidosis with possible metabolic compensation. Asthma exacerbation can contribute to respiratory acidosis by causing retention of CO2.
Step-by-step explanation:
The scenario you've described involves a client with a potential acid-base imbalance and respiratory distress, characterized by unstable vital signs (VS). Considering the critical nature of these conditions, the client is likely to be considered unstable. Specifically, the lab results indicating a reduced pH, an elevated partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2), and a higher than normal bicarbonate (HCO3-) level suggest the presence of respiratory acidosis, possibly with some metabolic compensation, since HCO3- is higher than normal as well.
Asthma can contribute to respiratory acidosis by impairing the ability to exhale CO2, leading to its accumulation in the blood. In response, kidneys attempt to compensate by retaining more HCO3- to balance the increase in CO2, leading to the observed lab values. In severe cases, such as exacerbations of asthma accompanied by respiratory distress, the patient's ability to ventilate effectively is compromised, resulting in an acute worsening of respiratory acidosis, which is a life-threatening condition that requires prompt medical intervention.