Final answer:
The blood gas values indicating a pH of 7.25, CO₂ of 60, and bicarb of 22 mM suggest respiratory acidosis, with the individual's blood being more acidic than normal likely due to hypoventilation or ineffective release of CO₂ from the lungs.
Step-by-step explanation:
The interpretation of the blood gas with a pH of 7.25, CO₂ of 60 mm Hg, and HCO₃ (bicarb) of 22 mM suggests that the individual has a type of acidosis, likely respiratory acidosis given the elevated pCO₂. The normal values for arterial blood pH are 7.35-7.45, pCO₂ for males is 35-48 mm Hg and for females 32-45 mm Hg, while total venous bicarbonate ranges from 22-29 mM. Given that the pH is below the normal range, this indicates acidosis. The increased pCO₂ further points to a respiratory cause, since CO₂ is a respiratory acid that should be exhaled through the lungs, and its elevated level implies hypoventilation or an inability to effectively remove CO₂. The bicarbonate level is at the lower end of normal, indicating that there might not be significant renal compensation occurring yet or that it's an acute condition where the kidneys have not had time to respond. Lastly, the HCO₃^-/CO₂ buffer system is crucial for maintaining blood pH, where CO₂ when dissolved in blood, combines with water to form carbonic acid (H₂CO₃), which is in equilibrium with bicarbonate (HCO₃^-) and hydrogen ions (H+).