You are an emergency-room nurse caring for a trauma patient. Your patient has the following arterial blood gas results: $\mathrm{pH} 7.26, \mathrm{PaCO}_{2} 28, \mathrm{HCO}_{3} 11 \mathrm{mEq} / \mathrm{L}$. How would you interpret these results?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A low pH indicates acidosis (normal $\mathrm{pH}$ is 7.35 to 7.45 ). The $\mathrm{PaCO}_{3}$ is also low, which causes alkalosis. The bicarbonate is low, which causes acidosis. The $\mathrm{pH}$ bicarbonate more closely corresponds with a decrease in $\mathrm{pH}$, making the metabolic component the primary problem.

You Are an Emergency-Room Nurse Caring for a Trauma Patient pH7.26,PaCO228,HCO311mEq/L\mathrm{pH} 7.26, \mathrm{PaCO}_{2} 28, \mathrm{HCO}_{3} 11 \mathrm{mEq} / \mathrm{L}pH7.26,PaCO2​28,HCO3​11mEq/L

You Are an Emergency-Room Nurse Caring for a Trauma Patient $\mathrm{pH} 7.26, \mathrm{PaCO}_{2} 28, \mathrm{HCO}_{3} 11 \mathrm{mEq} / \mathrm{L}$