A patient is admitted to the progressive care unit with a diagnosis of community-acquired pneumonia.The patient has a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and diabetes.A set of arterial blood gases obtained on admission without supplemental oxygen shows pH 7.35; PaCO₂ 55 mm Hg; bicarbonate 30 mEq/L; PaO₂ 65 mm Hg.These blood gases reflect:

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The PaO₂ of 65 mm Hg is lower than normal range (80 to 100 mm Hg),indicating hypoxemia.The high PaCO₂ indicates respiratory acidosis.The elevated bicarbonate indicates metabolic alkalosis.Because the pH is normal,the underlying acid-base alteration is compensated.Given the patient's history of chronic pulmonary disease and a pH that is at the lower end of normal range,it can be determined that this patient is hypoxemic with fully compensated respiratory acidosis.

A Patient Is Admitted to the Progressive Care Unit with a Diagnosis