Question

A client with a history of upper respiratory symptoms is admitted with chest tightness, a productive cough, and difficulty breathing. The client's arterial blood gases (ABGs) indicate respiratory acidosis. An increase in which laboratory test results supports this finding?

a. Arterial ph
b. PaCO2
c. HCO3
d. PaO2

Answer 1

Bob's lab results showing a lowered pH, elevated pCO2, and increased HCO3- indicate respiratory acidosis with a compensatory increase in bicarbonate. This is a result of impaired respiration due to asthma, leading to CO2 retention.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the case study where Bob is a 64-year-old male with a history of upper respiratory symptoms and is admitted with chest tightness, a productive cough, and difficulty breathing, we can analyze the lab results to determine the acid-base balance. As Bob has a pH of 7.31 (which is below the normal range), a pCO2 higher than normal, and a total HCO3- also higher than normal, these results indicate the presence of respiratory acidosis.

The high pCO2 shows that there is an excess of carbonic acid in the blood, primarily due to inadequate exhalation of CO2. The increase in HCO3- suggests that Bob's body is attempting to compensate for this imbalance by increasing bicarbonate levels to neutralize the excess acid. Asthma can contribute to these lab results as it can interfere with effective respiration, resulting in the retention of CO2 and, thereby, leading to respiratory acidosis.