On admission, a patient presents as follows: pH, 7.38; respiratory rate, 24 breaths/min, regular, pursed-lip breathing; PaO₂, 66 mm Hg; heart rate, 112 beats/min, sinus tachycardia; PaCO₂, 52 mm Hg; blood pressure, 110/68 mm Hg; HCO₃^-, 24 mEq/L; and SpO₂, 90% on O₂ 2 L/min nasal cannula.Which of the following diagnoses would be most consistent with the above arterial blood gas values?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The fact that the HCO₃^- level has increased enough to compensate for the increased pCO₂ level indicates that this is not an acute condition because the kidneys can take several days to adjust.The other choices would present with a lower HCO₃^-level.The values indicate respiratory acidosis, and one of the potential causes is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.Potential causes for respiratory alkalosis are pulmonary embolism, acute myocardial infarction, and congestive heart failure.

On Admission, a Patient Presents as Follows: PH, 7