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 of 7.78,PaCO₂ of 40 mm Hg,HCO₃^- level of 30 mmol/L (30 mEq/L). B)pH of 7.52,PaCO₂ of 48 mm Hg,HCO₃^- level of 28 mmol/L (28 mEq/L). C)pH of 7.35,PaCO₂ of 35 mm Hg,HCO₃^- level of 26 mmol/L (26 mEq/L). D)pH of 7.25,PaCO₂ of 47 mm Hg,HCO₃^- level of 29 mmol/L (29 mEq/L).

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In compensated metabolic alkalosis,the pH and HCO₃^-(metabolic)values are alkaline,and CO₂ level is slightly acidic (compensatory respiratory acidosis).In this case,the pH of 7.52 is alkaline (normal,7.35 to 7.45),partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide (PaCO₂)is acidic (normal,35 to 45 mm Hg),and HCO₃^- level is elevated (normal,22 to 26 mmol/L [22 to 26 mEq/L]).When the pH is 7.78,PaCO₂ is 40 mm Hg,and HCO₃^- is 30 mmol/L (30 mEq/L),the condition is uncompensated metabolic alkalosis.A pH of 7.35,a PaCO₂ of 35 mm Hg,and a HCO₃^- level of 26 mmol/L (26 mEq/L)are within normal limits.When the pH is 7.25,PaCO₂ is 47 mm Hg,and HCO₃^- is 29 mmol/L (29 mEq/L),the condition is compensated respiratory acidosis.

A Patient Was Admitted for a Bowel Obstruction and Has