A hospital patient's arterial blood gases indicate normal levels of oxygen and increasedcarbon dioxide. The patient's respiratory rate is 12 breaths/minute (normal 14 to 20breaths/minute) with all other vital signs within normal range. While not evident from assessment and diagnostics, the patient's kidneys are minimizing both H+ excretion and HCO3-reabsorption. What is this client'smost likelydiagnosis?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In response to increased bicarbonate, the client is hypoventilating to increase carbondioxide partial pressure. As well, renal compensation is aimed at lowering pH by bothr educing H+ excretion and HCO3-reabsorption.The given data are incongruent with the other major acid-base imbalances.

A Hospital Patient's Arterial Blood Gases Indicate Normal Levels of Oxygen