Question

The client is admitted with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Blood gases reveal pH 7.36, CO2 45, O2 84, bicarb 28. The nurse would assess the client to be in:

a Uncompensated acidosis
b Compensated alkalosis
c Compensated metabolic acidosis
d Uncompensated metabolic acidosis

Answer 1

The client's presentation indicates a state of compensated respiratory acidosis, characterized by slightly elevated CO2 and higher bicarb levels as compensation.

Step-by-step explanation:

The client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and blood gases revealing pH 7.36, CO2 45, O2 84, and bicarb 28 would be assessed to be in a state of compensated respiratory acidosis. The slightly elevated CO2 level and the high bicarb (HCO3-) indicate that the respiratory system is not able to remove enough CO2, which is a typical feature of respiratory acidosis. The kidneys have responded to this condition by retaining more bicarbonate to compensate, which is why the blood pH is near the lower limit of the normal range, suggesting a compensated state rather than uncompensated.