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

Question

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