A 40-year-old female patient was admitted to the emergency department with shortness of breath and had the following blood gases obtained on an F_IO₂ of 0.21: Which of the following best describes the acid-base status of this patient?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The pH of the blood gases is 7.56, indicating alkalosis. The pCO2 is decreased at 26 mmHg, indicating respiratory alkalosis. There is no compensatory increase in the bicarbonate levels to indicate metabolic alkalosis, and the rapid onset of the symptoms suggests an acute respiratory condition. Therefore, the patient's acid-base status is acute respiratory alkalosis.

A 40-Year-Old Female Patient Was Admitted to the Emergency Department