A child is in uncompensated respiratory acidosis. What should the nurse expect the arterial blood gas to be? A) O₂, 95; CO₂, 45; pH, 7.40 B) O₂, 88; CO₂, 55; pH, 7.30 C) O₂, 88; CO₂, 35; pH, 7.28 D) O₂, 92; CO₂, 54; pH, 7.35

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Respiratory acidosis results from diminished or inadequate pulmonary ventilation that causes an elevation in plasma Pco₂ and thus an increased concentration of dissolved carbonic acid, which leads to elevated carbonic acid and hydrogen ion concentration. This tends to lower the pH. CO₂ of 55 is elevated (normal CO₂ is 35-45), and a pH of 7.30 is low (normal pH is 7.35-7.45).

A Child Is in Uncompensated Respiratory Acidosis