A Client Presents to an Emergency Department with Confusion, a Respiratory

A client presents to an emergency department with confusion, a respiratory rate of 30 breaths per minute, blood pressure 100/70 mm Hg, and a previous admission for renal failure. The client's arterial blood gases reveal a pH of 7.32, an HCO₃ of 20 mEq/L, and a PaCO₂ of 34 mm Hg. Which acid-base imbalance should a nurse suspect?

A) Metabolic acidosis
B) Metabolic alkalosis
C) Respiratory acidosis
D) Respiratory alkalosis