Ms.Ellsmere,23,is in the emergency room after an opiate overdose.What are expected blood gas results?

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An opiate overdose usually causes respiratory depression, resulting in hypoventilation and subsequent respiratory acidosis. The blood gas results in option A reflect this, showing a pH of 7.30 (below the normal range of 7.35-7.45) and an elevated PaCO2 (partial pressure of carbon dioxide in arterial blood) of 54 mmHg (above the normal range of 35-45 mmHg). The HCO3- level (bicarbonate ion) is also elevated at 24 mEq/L, indicating a compensatory metabolic alkalosis (as the kidneys try to excrete more acid to compensate for the respiratory acidosis). The other options show mixed acid-base disturbances or alkalosis, which would not be expected in the setting of an opiate overdose.

MsEllsmere,23,is in the Emergency Room After an Opiate Overdose