A patient was admitted for a bowel obstruction and has had a nasogastric tube set to low intermittent suction for the past 3 days.The patient's respiratory rate has decreased to 12 breaths per minute.The nurse would expect the patient to have which of the following arterial blood gas values? A) pH 7.78, PaCO₂ 40 mm Hg, HCO₃^-30 mEq/L B) pH 7.52, PaCO₂ 48 mm Hg, HCO₃^-28 mEq/L C) pH 7.35, PaCO₂ 35 mm Hg, HCO₃^-26 mEq/L D) pH 7.25, PaCO₂ 47 mm Hg, HCO₃^-29 mEq/L

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Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Compensated metabolic alkalosis should show alkalosis pH and HCO₃^-(metabolic)values,with a slightly acidic CO₂ (compensatory respiratory acidosis).In this case,pH 7.52 is alkaline (normal = 7.35 to 7.45),PaCO₂ is acidic (normal 35 to 45 mm Hg),and HCO₃^-is elevated (normal = 22 to 26 mEq/L).A result of pH 7.78,PaCO₂ 40 mm Hg,HCO₃^-30 mEq/L is uncompensated metabolic alkalosis.pH 7.35,PaCO₂ 35 mm Hg,HCO₃^-26 mEq/L is within normal limits.pH 7.25,PaCO₂ 47 mm Hg,HCO₃^-29 mEq/L is compensated respiratory acidosis.

A Patient Was Admitted for a Bowel Obstruction and Has