Question

A young woman is found comatose, having taken an unknown number of sleeping pills an unknown time before. An arterial blood sample yields the following values: pH 6.90, HCO- 13 meq/liter and PaCO 68 mmHg. This patient's acid-base status is most accurately described as:

A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Acidosis
C. Simultaneous Respiratory and Metabolic Acidosis
D. Respiratory Acidosis with Complete Renal Compensation

Answer 1

The young woman's acid-base status is most accurately described as Metabolic Acidosis with partial respiratory compensation.

Step-by-step explanation:

The acid-base status of the young woman is most accurately described as Metabolic Acidosis. The low pH value of 6.90 indicates acidosis, and the low bicarbonate (HCO-) level of 13 meq/liter further supports this. The high PaCO (68 mmHg) suggests that there is respiratory compensation occurring. However, since both the pH and bicarbonate levels are outside the normal range, it is metabolic acidosis with partial respiratory compensation.