The Nurse in the Emergency Department Receives Arterial Blood Gas

The nurse in the emergency department receives arterial blood gas results for four recently admitted patients with obstructive pulmonary disease. Which patient will require the most rapid action by the nurse?

A) 20-year-old with ABG results: pH 7.28, PaCO₂ 60 mm Hg, and PaO₂ 58 mm Hg
B) 32-year-old with ABG results: pH 7.50, PaCO₂ 30 mm Hg, and PaO₂ 65 mm Hg
C) 40-year-old with ABG results: pH 7.34, PaCO₂ 33 mm Hg, and PaO₂ 80 mm Hg
D) 64-year-old with ABG results: pH 7.31, PaCO₂ 58 mm Hg, and PaO₂ 64 mm Hg