A patient has the following arterial blood values:
$\mathrm{pH}=7.52$
$\mathrm{Pco}_{2}=20 \mathrm{~mm} \mathrm{Hg}$
$\left[\mathrm{HCO}_{3}{ }^{-}\right]=16 \mathrm{mEq} / \mathrm{L}$
Which of the following statements about this patient is most likely to be correct?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

[IX D 4; Table 5.8]. First, the acid-base disorder must be diagnosed. Alkaline $\mathrm{pH}$, low $\mathrm{Pco}_{2}$, and low $\mathrm{HCO}_{3}{ }^{-}$are consistent with respiratory alkalosis. In respiratory alkalosis, the $\left[\mathrm{H}^{+}\right]$is decreased and less $\mathrm{H}^{+}$is bound to negatively charged sites on plasma proteins. As a result, more $\mathrm{Ca}^{2+}$ is bound to proteins and, therefore, the ionized $\left[\mathrm{Ca}^{2+}\right]$ decreases. There is no respiratory compensation for primary respiratory disorders. The patient is hyperventilating, which is the cause of the respiratory alkalosis. Appropriate renal compensation would be decreased reabsorption of $\mathrm{HCO}_{3}{ }^{-}$, which would cause his arterial $\left[\mathrm{HCO}_{3}^{-}\right]$to decrease and his blood $\mathrm{pH}$ to decrease (become more normal).

A Patient Has the Following Arterial Blood Values pH=7.52\mathrm{pH}=7.52pH=7.52 Pco2=20 mmHg\mathrm{Pco}_{2}=20 \mathrm{~mm} \mathrm{Hg}Pco2​=20 mmHg

A Patient Has the Following Arterial Blood Values $\mathrm{pH}=7.52$ $\mathrm{Pco}_{2}=20 \mathrm{~mm} \mathrm{Hg}$